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V20 2017 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 20, Number 32, August 6, 2017, Article 12

MORE ON THE MYSTERY "SILK TRADE TOKEN"

Silk Trade Token obverse Silk Trade Token reverse

Regarding the "Silk Trade Token" item shown on last week's Numismatic Nuggets" article, Chip Howell writes:

It looks Ottoman to me--I think it says "struck in Constantinople" & the date looks like AH 1255 = ~1839.

Ken Spindler of San Diego writes:

The "1500 AD SILK TRADE TOKEN" is either a Turkey 10 para (KM-652) or 20 para (KM-653) of Abdul Mejid dated AH 1255, year 1 (=1839), Constantinople mint, which was struck in billon, a very low fineness silver alloy. It is depicted rotated almost 90 degrees counterclockwise, obviously by someone who has no clue. In the center of the first photo is the sultan's toughra - calligraphic monogram - almost sideways. (The added floral branch should be positioned from about 1:00 to 3:00.) It's a common little coin, in lousy condition. Dealer's junk box material.

Nothing personal, of course.

Ron Haller-Williams of Surbiton, Surrey, England writes:

Was this included to see if we were awake? Or was it intended for April 1st? Turkey itself wasn't really on the silk road. And what's this about "1500 AD"?

This piece seems to be a billon 20 PARA coin dated AH 1255 (1839 AD), for use in the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire (KM #653). It was issued in the first year of the reign of Abdülmecid I, who came to the throne in AD 1839 = AH 1255 or ١٢٥‎٥ and died in AD 1861 = AH 1277 or ١٢٧‎٧‎.

I have taken the supplied pictures, rotated them, adjusted brightness and contrast, and annotated the result. Now compare with what can be seen at e.g. https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/turkey-20-para-km-653-1255-1-1255-5-cuid-1114494-duid-1551842

The appearance of the word مصر (Egypt) has me fooled at first – I thought the coin was for use in Egypt! But, of course, "Ruler of Egypt" was one of the Sultan's titles.

The piece has clearly been mounted or connected to a ring for suspension or attachment, see the scar at about 11 o'clock on the obverse or 1 o'clock on the reverse. So it could perhaps be a copy as used in the clothing and scarves/shawls of dancers, somewhat like at http://www.worldbellydance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Gold-coin-291x300.jpg .

Here is Ron's annotated image, followed by images of the coin he referenced above on the NGC site. -Editor

1839 AD TURKISH EMPIRE 20 PARA TOKEN

Turkey 20 Para KM# 653 obverse - Copy Turkey 20 Para KM# 653 reverse - Copy

Regarding the mention of Egypt, Chip Howell writes:

I have to dispute this--that's not Misr (Egypt) but Duriba (struck) because that's what I'm reading as "struck in Qonstantiniyah" (i.e., Istanbul). The first letter is too big to be a "meem".

Thanks, everyone. After receiving Ron's feedback, the seller updated the lot description to "1839 AD TURKISH EMPIRE 20 PARA TOKEN". It's not a token though, it's a coin. Whatever - this was a fun exercise regardless. -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JULY 30, 2017 (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n31a29.html)

Archives International sale 44 cover front


Wayne Homren, Editor

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