Obverse. Photo © Numismatica Genevensis SA
  • 2 Zeri Mahbub 1757, KM# 111, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Mustafa III
  • 2 Zeri Mahbub 1757, KM# 111, Egypt, Eyalet / Khedivate, Mustafa III
Description

Mustafa III (1717–1774) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1757 to 1774. He was a son of Sultan Ahmed III (1703–30), and his consort Mihrişah Kadın. He was succeeded by his brother Abdul Hamid I (1774–89).

Ali Bey al-Kabir (1728–1773) was a Mamluk leader in Egypt. Nicknamed Jinn Ali ("Ali the Devil") and Bulut Kapan ("Cloud-Catcher"), Ali Bey rose to prominence in 1768 when he rebelled against his Ottoman rulers, making the Egypt Eyalet of the Ottoman Empire independent for a short time. His rule ended following the insubordination of his most trusted general, Abu al-Dahab, which led to Ali Bey's downfall and death.

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.

Obverse

Tughra (second type) in Mustafa III name, Ottoman Turkish legend "Struck in Egypt" within a beaded circle and the accession year in Hejira (AH1171) below, knot as an initial mark.

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 خان بن احمد
عز نصره صرب في
مصر سنة
١١٧١

Reverse

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

سلطان البرين
وخاقان البحرين
السلطان بن
السلطان

Edge
Characteristics
Material Gold
Weight 5.2 g
Diameter 34 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Misr Mint

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