Turkey AH 1203(15) zeri mahbub
This specimen was lot 3349 in Künker sale 264 (Osnabrück, June 2015), where it sold for €300 (about US$388 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Selim III. 1789-1807. Zeri Mahbub 1789 (= 1203 AH), 15. Regierungsjahr, Islambol. GOLD. Prachtexemplar. Min. justiert, fast Stempelglanz. (Turkey, Selim III, 1789-1807, zeri mahbub of 1203 AH, regnal year 15, Istanbul mint. Proof example, minimal adjustment marks, choice uncirculated.)"
The vast majority of survivors have been removed from jewelry. The Hejira calendar uses a lunar year instead of a solar year, so its starting date moves from year to year. This type was issued AH 1203, year 10 thru 19 (1799-1808). The gold was the victim of frequent manipulation and the denominations changed names in a confusing manner. The SCWC lists zeri mahbubs, rumi altins, adli altins, yeni altins and hayriye altins for this period. Matters were regularized in the reign of Abdul Mejid, with gold coins issued in multiples of the kuruş.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common for the series.
Specification: 2.4 g, gold, 21 mm diameter, this specimen 2.40 g.
Catalog reference: KM 523, Pere vgl. 697 (dort 8. Regierungsjahr); Damali 28-K-A8-15.
- [1]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Catalog 264, Gold coins | Russian Coins and Medals | German Coins after 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2015.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay, Ottoman Empire Coins 1687-1839 (AH 1099-1255), Istanbul: Anka Matbaacilik, 2010.
- Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
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