Turkey AH 1080 timmin
The first specimen was lot 21053 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $504. The catalog description[1] noted,
"THE LEVANT. The Levant - Italy. Timmin, AH (10)80 (1669/70). Ottoman Empire. PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. Arabic script countermark 'Naqd sahih 80' (Legal tender) applied to a 1663 Massa Di Lunigiano 8 Bolognini of Alberico II Cybo Malaspina. A RARE host coin for this SCARCE issue that is seldom seen in the marketplace. Countermark well applied though slightly uneven. An attractive example with luster in the protected areas displaying lovely golden grey tone accentuated by light iridescent patina. Countermark ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. Trade between the East and West has been conducted since ancient times, most famously on the Silk road and the Spice route. The term "Timmin" is derived from the Arabic word tumm meaning 1/8 which also happened to be the exchange rate during this time (1 Taler for 8 coins of 5 sols). Many European countries conducted trade in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean such as the Italians, French and the British. The Levant Company (Compagnie du Levant) was founded 18 July 1670 by Jean-Baptiste Colbert with the aim of exporting textiles such as cotton, silk and wool to the Ottoman Empire and import[ing] manufactured goods to France. From the Kyle Ponterio Collection. Ex: Hans Wilski Collection."
The second specimen was lot 21055 in the same sale, where it sold for $600. The catalog description[1] noted, "THE LEVANT. The Levant - France. Timmin, AH (10)80 (1669/70). Ottoman Empire. PCGS EF-40 Gold Shield. Arabic script countermark "Naqd sahih 80" (Legal tender) applied to a 1643-A France 1/12 Ecu (5 sol) of Louis XIII. A SCARCE host coin from this interesting issue. Countermark unevenly applied missing the first portion of the script, but with a bold date. An attractively toned example displaying light golden-grey color in the centers of the obverse accentuated by rich peripheral patina, while the reverse exhibits more of a two tone color with a golden-grey hue. Countermark CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE. From the Kyle Ponterio Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.27 g, silver (host coin).
Catalog reference: Wilski-Tim.01.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2020 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2019.
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