Turkey AH 1293(11) kurush
In the 1830's, the regime attempted to implement the Tanzimat reform to modernize the government and the military, the better to resist European (particularly Russian) encroachment. One reform was the introduction of milled coinage in 1839, where all the medieval denominations were dropped for a decimal system where the crown size silver coin was twenty kuruş and the sovereign size gold coin was 100 kuruş. This system survived until the collapse of the Ottoman regime after World War One. This specimen was lot 75814 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2024), where it sold for $125. The catalog description[1] noted, "TURKEY. Ottoman Empire. Kurush, AH 1293 Year 11 (1886/7). Istanbul (Constantinople) Mint. Abdulhamid II. PCGS MS-64. Falling just short of Gem status, this enchanting minor radiates with a sharp strike and wondrous luster emanating throughout." This type, slightly smaller than a half dime, was struck years 8 thru 34. Some of the dates are scarce but this one is common.
Recorded mintage: 8,830,000.
Specification: 1.20 g, 0.830 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-735.
- 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, Istanbul: Mas Matbaacilik A.S., 2007.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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