Turkey AH 1203(17) zeri mahbub
This specimen was lot 3726 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 500 CHF (about US$669 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "TURKEY, 1 Zer-i mahbûb 1203 H./Jahr 17, Islambul (Istanbul). NGC MS65. Das durch NGC höchstbewertete Exemplar (zeri mahbub of AH 1203, year 17, Istanbul mint. Finest certified by NGC)." This type was struck years 10-19. It has a rather low catalog value but is usually found damaged from being removed from jewelry. 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, 21 mm diameter, this specimen 2.38 g.
Catalog reference: KM 523, Pere 696 (Jahr 8). Sultan coll. -, Fr-79.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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