Turkey 1927 250 kurush
The first specimen was lot 2461 in Sincona sale 59 (Zürich, October 2019), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,030 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TÜRKEI, Republik, seit 1923. 250 Kurush 1927. Republikname auf Eichenzweigen, Gründungsdatum. Vorzüglich. Kleine Kratzer. (republic of Turkey, since 1923, 250 kurush of 1927. The name of the republic within oak wreath and date. Extremely fine, Small scratches.)"
The second specimen was part of lot 31324 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $8,100. The catalog description[2] noted,
"Turkey. Republic 5-Piece Certified gold Denomination Set AH 1336 Year 23 (1926-1928) NGC, 1) 25 Kurush 1927 - MS62, 2) 50 Kurush 1928 - MS64. 3) 100 Kurush 1927 - MS62 Prooflike. 4) 250 Kurush 1927 - MS63 Prooflike. 5) 500 Kurush 1926 - MS63+ Proolike. An intriguing set of these early and comparatively low-mintage Republican gold types, all of which rank as the finest certified for their individual denominations at NGC. Usually a notoriously abused series that frequently saw cleaning and use in jewelry, the pieces on offer here demonstrate decidedly sharp quality, each being bound in its designation by just a few scattered bagmarks. Of even greater interest is the fact that although the Turkish Republic had officially received international recognition in 1923, these coins continue to carry Mehmed VI's, the last Ottoman sultan's, accession year, the additional 23 likely referring to the founding of the Republic. This is the first such set we have seen, and is sold with a custom plastic holder labeled 'Type Gold.'"
It does not have a high catalog value but is seldom seen. It is among the first Turkish coins to bear the Common Era date (1927) instead of the Hegira date (AH 1346), doubtless decreed by Ataturk himself. Altho issued in the name of Ataturk's republic, this 250 kurush matches the old Ottoman 250 kurush in weight and style. Its small diameter and plain design may be contrasted with the simultaneous monnaie de luxe issue of 1927-28 (KM 847).
Recorded mintage: 886.
Specification: 18.04 g, 0.917 fine gold, the first specimen 17.99 g.
Catalog reference: KM 843, Fr-194 (formerly Fr-80).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 59: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2019.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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