Description

Murad V (1840–1904) was the 33rd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who reigned from 30 May to 31 August 1876.

Murad took part in the deposition of Abdulaziz. On the night of 29–30 May 1876, the committee led by the statesman Midhat Pasha, the leading statesman of the Ottoman Tanzimat era, and the Minister of War, Hüseyin Avni Pasha, deposed Abdulaziz and raised Murad to the throne.

Though he successfully acceded to the throne, he was not capable of maintaining his place. He struggled to appear normal in his new role, so at odds with his previously quiet life of dabbling in music. His weak nerves, combined with alcoholism, led to a mental breakdown. Murad began to manifest bizarre behaviour that preceded his complete collapse. The Ottoman government deposed him on 31 August 1876, after reigning for only ninety-three days on the grounds that he was mentally ill.

Beware of specimens of KM# 722 altered to appear as a piece of Murad; the tughra is very different.