Here's a special coin type I've been wanting for awhile: Muscat & Oman copper 1/4 anna, dated AH 1311 (AD 1893-4). MUSCAT AND OMAN Time of Faisal bin Turki, 1888-1913 CU ¼ Anna (25.2mm, 7.19g, 12h) Dated AH 1311 (AD 1893-4.) Muscat mint, Oman Obverse: IMAUM OF MUSCAT & OMAN SULTAN FESSAL BIN TOORKY; view of the Al Jalali Fort and harbor with palm trees, palaces, and boats; ¼ ANNA below, *1311* along bottom Reverse: Arabic translation of obverse legend within wreath References: Numista 50119 Mintage: unknown Even brown surfaces. A popular and scarce type. Obviously, the big attraction here is the wonderful obverse design showing a harbor scene in front of the famous Al Jalali fort on the coast of Oman. The level of detail is really quite impressive: we see the fort in the upper left, with high walls, turreted towers, and pennants waving in the breeze; the rocky coast line below the fort; to the right is a palace building half hidden by palm trees which line the shore; and in the water are two boats, one crewed by oarsmen and one with sails. The legend wraps completely around the scene and the denomination given below. It really is one of the most interesting and attractive world coin designs I've seen. This design was minted for only one year (AH 1311) and in just two denominations: this one, the 1/4 anna, and a smaller 1/12 anna. Both are scarce, and in high demand, especially ones with good detail. I feel fortunate to have been able to add this very nice specimen to my collection! Al Jalali Fort (left) and other buildings. By Brian Harrington Spier from Shanghai, China - Oman 1973/74, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5822501 Al Jalali Fort, located on the northeast coast of Oman, was originally built in 1588 by the Portuguese after their conquest of Muscat in 1507 under the conquistador Afonso de Albuquerque. The Portuguese named it Forte de São João, and it remained a Portuguese stronghold until Sultan bin Saif captured both the fort and the city of Muscat in 1649-50. Over the next 250 years of Omani rule the fort continued to be an important strategic possession through many conflicts and was occasionally expanded and renovated. Interestingly, in 1895 - only a couple years after this coin was minted - Sultan Faisal bin Turki was forced to flee to Al Jalali after Muscat was captured during a tribal rebellion. Feel free to comment and/or post your own coins of Oman, coins with interesting detailed scenes, or anything else relevant!
