Obverse. Photo © biddr
  • 1 Qirsh 1808, KM# 157, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Mustafa IV
  • 1 Qirsh 1808, KM# 157, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Mustafa IV
Description

Mustafa IV (1779–1808) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1807 to 1808. He was the son of Sultan Abdul Hamid I (1774–1789) and Sineperver Sultan.

Both he and his brother, Mahmud II, were the last remaining male members of the House of Osman after their cousin, the reformist Sultan Selim III (1789–1807). They alone were therefore eligible to inherit the throne from Selim, by whom they were treated favorably. Since Mustafa was the elder, he took precedence over his brother to the throne. During his short reign, Mustafa would both save his cousin's life and order him murdered. Mustafa was Sultan Selim III's favourite crown prince, but he deceived his cousin and cooperated with the rebels to take his throne.

Attempting to secure his position by positing himself as the only surviving heir of Osman, Mustafa ordered both Selim and his brother Mahmud murdered at Topkapı Palace, Constantinople. He then ordered his guards to show the rebels Selim's body, and they promptly tossed it into the inner courtyard of the palace. Mustafa then ascended his throne, assuming that Mahmud was also dead, but the prince had been hiding in the furnace of a bath. Just as the rebels demanded that Mustafa "yield his place to a worthier," Mahmud revealed himself, and Mustafa was deposed. The failure of his short reign prevented the efforts to undo the reforms, which continued under Mahmud.

Obverse

Tughra in Mustafa IV name, Ottoman Turkish legend "Struck in Egypt" and the accession year in Hejira (AH1222) below, knot as an initial mark. Two arrows above tughra at up left and middle right.

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.

مصطفى بن عبد الجميد
عز نصره
ضرب في
مصر سنة
١٢٢٢

Reverse

Depicts 4-line Arabic legend: Sultan of the two lands, Khaqan (emperor) of the two seas, the sultan son of the sultan, the year of the Sultan's reign at the 3rd line.

سلطان البرين
وخاقان البحرين
السلطان بن
السلطان

Edge

1 Qirsh (Piastre)

Eyalet
KM# 157
Characteristics
Material Billon
Weight 10.65 g
Diameter -
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Misr Mint

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