For context, it is around the size of a dime, a bit smaller. I cannot identify any markings. If anyone knows the language, time period, approximate location, it would be very helpful!
the Tughra is apparent on the reverse. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tughra It's primarily depicted on Ottoman coins.
That's very helpful to know what it's called! How would I go about reading this to determine the date/denomination/etc. It seems to be a quite confusing language when depicted in this way. It also seems that this coin is most likely either Akce or Para, but I am not sure, it is purely based on what I've read about Ottoman monetary history
This looks like it’s from the reign of Selim III (1789-1807). The AH (Muslim calendar) date of his accession is at the bottom of the coin (1203, or in Arabic,١٢٠٣). I’d guess it’s a para, so this may fit in. I can’t read Arabic so it may be another mint for all I know. Also, the actual year of minting is on the top of the reverse, as a single number that is added to the accession date.
To be clear the AH date 1203 corresponds to the Gregorian date 1789? And the reverse is the second image, correct? Last question, if I add that number at the top of the reverse (or left in the photo) to the gregorian date (1789) it will be the actual year that the coin was minted?
Yes to all. The calendar is lunar, so an AH year is about 3% shorter than our year. The formula for AH to AD is as follows: take 3% of the AH year, subtract the result (as a whole number) from the date, and add 622 to get the AD date. So, whatever year you get by adding the number should be close to it by a year or so whether you incorporate it into the formula for the AH date from the start or add it at the end when you have the AD year.
The other issue is that I don't recognize the numeral at the top of the coin, and it's a bit difficult to find a list of "arabic numerals" as the 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 system is called the arabic numeral system... Sorry for all the questions, but how would I tell if this is a para or akce? This is all very interesting to me
Apparently they’re called the Eastern Arabic numerals. Here’s what they should look like. Here’s what I think your coin is. It’s not a 20 Para because that’s bigger than a quarter. I can’t help with what the year might be though.
