Obverse. Photo © NumisBids
  • 1 Altin 1604-1607, KM# 18, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Ahmed I
  • 1 Altin 1604-1607, KM# 18, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Ahmed I
Description

Ahmed I (1590–1617) was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1603 until his death in 1617. Ahmed's reign is noteworthy for marking the first breach in the Ottoman tradition of royal fratricide; henceforth Ottoman rulers would no longer systematically execute their brothers upon accession to the throne. He is also well known for his construction of the Blue Mosque, one of the most famous mosques in Turkey.

The Eyalet of Egypt operated as an administrative division of the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to 1867. It originated as a result of the conquest of Mamluk Egypt by the Ottomans in 1517, following the Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17) and the absorption of Syria into the Empire in 1516. Egypt always proved a difficult province for the Ottoman Sultans to control, due in part to the continuing power and influence of the Mamluks, the Egyptian military caste who had ruled the country for centuries.

Weight varies: 3.45-3.50 g

Obverse

Tughra in Ahmed I name, Ottoman Turkish legend "Struck in Egypt" and the accession year in Hejira (AH1013) below.

A tughra (Ottoman Turkish: طغرا‎ tuğrâ) is a calligraphic monogram, seal or signature of a sultan that was affixed to all official documents and correspondence. It was also carved on his seal and stamped on the coins minted during his reign. Tughras served a purpose similar to the cartouche in ancient Egypt or the Royal Cypher of British monarchs, every Ottoman sultan had his own individual tughra.

سلطان احمد بن محمد خان عز
نصره ضرب في
مصر سنة
١٠١٣

Reverse

Depicts 4-non-line Arabic legend: Sultan of the two lands, Khaqan (emperor) of the two seas, the sultan son of the sultan.

سلطان البرين
وخاقان البحرين
السلطان بن
السلطان

Edge
Characteristics
Material Gold
Weight 3.5 g
Diameter 21 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Misr Mint

Related coins

Eyalet

Gold, 3.5 g, ⌀ 21 mm
Eyalet

Gold, 3.45 g, ⌀ 21 mm
Eyalet

Gold, 3.22 g, ⌀ 23 mm