Another mini-mystery but I thought these may deserve their own thread. I've had these two Ottoman akces for years. They're small at only 11mm or so. I think they are both of Mehmed II but I've always wanted to know the dates, mint cities and maybe a reference for each. At various times I've tried to figure them out... but they're still in my 'unidentified' pile years later. Can anyone help?! Also, show your own Ottoman Akces... points for those closest to 1453 Constantinople. Akce 1 Akce 2
I don't have a single akce. Here is an Ottoman para that was sold to me as an akce. I could be wrong; Ottoman is not my collecting area. I believe this is KM #594, and that the akce was even smaller than my para at this time (1835). This thing is paper thin! The diameter is 12.5mm, but the weight is only 0.11g. If it was an ancient Greek coin it would be a tritartemorion, and on the small side! I am not sure how people carried this coin and the even smaller late Ottoman akce. Any thoughts on the grade of my piece? It seems like it is in high grade but I am uncertain. (Seller's photo): 1835 Turkey Para Silver Mahmud II Constantinople, 12.5mm, 0.11g KM# 594; cf. Numista, Zeno Mahmud II 1223-1255/1808-1839 » AR » Ninth Series, yr. 25-32, cf. NGC
Looks like a nice coin @Ed Snible ! As for grade, I’m clueless on these so let’s wait for an Ottoman specialist or dabbler to happen along this thread. Nice coins @randygeki and @Mat , Thanks for showing them!
@Ed. S. Your attribution is correct. You could add some info that it was struck in the 28th year of reign of Sultan Mahmud Ii. The reverse reads : Struck in Constantinople in the year of reign 28. 1223 AH. It's a Para with silver content 17 percent only. I think condition is not bad at all for this tiny coin.
I know very little of Ottoman coins. I have 2: Is THIS an Akces? Ottoman Turks Sultan Mahmed II 1451-1481 took Constantinople in 1453 Serez mint AR 1.2g And, well, I don't think this is an Akces... Ottoman Empire Suleiman the Magnificent 1520-1566 AV Sultani CE Constantinople mint 1520 19mm 3.5g
According to Steve Album, this is a close as it is possible to get: Mehmet II, Constantinople (Konstantiniyye) mint, dated year 5AH865 (1460-61)
Oooh, I was looking for one of those! (still am really but not actively) A couple years ago I was reading 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West by Roger Crowley... (which is a really fun read if you go in with the understanding that it uses history as a framework but colors in the blanks and details.) Anyway, while reading this book I was really into learning about the fall of Constantinople and bought my two coins for somewhere between $2 and $5 each. I was really interested in them for about a week but my inability to read the script and a lack of online sources and help caused me to set them aside and forget about them for years. Anyway, great coin! (Anyone who knows anything about these should check out the first post and tell me what I have.. thanks!)
Geez, I see one sold a couple years ago at CNG for $1000! For me, it was Runciman's The Fall of Constantinople. Great book! Yeah, the Arabic script is really tough. I learn a bit (with the help of Richard Plant's Arabic Coins and how to read them) and then promptly forget it all! The best resource, with images, is zeno.ru. It takes some time, but it's usually possible to identify coins using the site. I'm sure your first one is Mehmet II, Edirne mint (= Adrianople), dated 865 AH. The second one is also Mehmet II, probably Edirne mint but 10 years earlier, just as he was planning the attack on Constantinople... I'm not sure about that one, though. Have a browse here and you will probably find a match! The entire Ottoman index is here: https://www.zeno.ru/showgallery.php?cat=580 .[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]
