Turkey AH 1203(9) zeri mahbub
This specimen was lot 1210 in Jean Elsen sale 148 (Brussels, September 2021), where it sold for €95 (about US$135 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "OTTOMAN EMPIRE, Selim III (AD 1789-1807/AH 1203-1222) AV zeri mahbub, AH 1203, year 9, Islambul. Repaired hole. Fine - Very Fine." 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 1 thru 9 (1789-96). 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.
Specification: 2.4 g, gold, 22-23 mm diameter, this specimen 2,25 g.
Catalog reference: KM 522, Pere 697; Fr-79.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay, Ottoman Empire Coins 1687-1839 (AH 1099-1255), Istanbul: Anka Matbaacilik, 2010.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 148: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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