Turkey AH 1222(2) zeri mahbub
The first specimen was lot 31855 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted, "Ottoman Empire. Mustafa IV gold Zeri Mahbub AH 1222 Year 2 (1808/9) MS64 NGC, Constantinople mint (in Turkey) (date). Features fully lustrous surfaces which shimmer when turned in the light, and a splendid, bold strike. A very rare Sultan, whose coins always highly sought-after in peak grades." The second specimen was lot 30683 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $3,290. The catalog description[2] noted, "Mustafa IV gold Zeri Mahbub AH1222 Year 2 (1808) MS64 NGC, MS64 NGC, exceptionally sharp and attractive, with full mint brilliance and a bold strike. A rare type and grade in Choice condition." 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. This type was struck years 1-2.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.35 g, gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-84, KM 545, Pere-728var.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3042, featuring the Read and Bob Bennett Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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