Catalog - SINCONA Auction 31

During the three centuries of Ottoman rule, the local authorities in Tunis, known as Beys, governed semi-autonomously. Both of the medals, listed below, were struck to commemorate an immensely important step taken by Ahmad I Ibn Mustafa, who was Bey of Tunis from 1837ce (1252ah) until 1855ce (1271ah). His visit to the Paris Mint in December 1846ce was the first time that a high ranking Tunisian Governor was received by the court of a French King at that time, Louis Philippe I (1773-1850ce). The silver medal was executed by Jean Jacques Barre (1793-1855ce). According to Monnaies dAntan, Brussels, the mintage in silver did not exceed 16 pieces. The obverse of the bronze issue is based on a portrait made presumably by Louis Michel Petit (1791-1844ce) and is perhaps a slightly later issue. Both medals used the same reverse die. The text on the reverse was written in Arabic within a wreath and translates: His Excellency, the Bey of Tunis, honored the Paris Mint [Hôtel de la Monnaie] with his presence in the early days of December during the Christian year 1846. Interestingly enough, the Gregorian year is noted on the reverse at the conclusion of the text written in Arabic numbers!

During the three centuries of Ottoman rule, the local authorities in Tunis, known as Beys, governed semi-autonomously. Both of the medals, listed below, were struck to commemorate an immensely important step taken by Ahmad I Ibn Mustafa, who was Bey of Tunis from 1837ce (1252ah) until 1855ce (1271ah). His visit to the Paris Mint in December 1846ce was the first time that a high ranking Tunisian Governor was received by the court of a French King at that time, Louis Philippe I (1773-1850ce). The silver medal was executed by Jean Jacques Barre (1793-1855ce). According to Monnaies dAntan, Brussels, the mintage in silver did not exceed 16 pieces. The obverse of the bronze issue is based on a portrait made presumably by Louis Michel Petit (1791-1844ce) and is perhaps a slightly later issue. Both medals used the same reverse die. The text on the reverse was written in Arabic within a wreath and translates: His Excellency, the Bey of Tunis, honored the Paris Mint [Hôtel de la Monnaie] with his presence in the early days of December during the Christian year 1846. Interestingly enough, the Gregorian year is noted on the reverse at the conclusion of the text written in Arabic numbers!

Abdul Mejid initiated widespread currency reforms soon after becoming sultan. Consequently, new standards for coinage were introduced in gold as well as silver throughout the Ottoman Empire. Although certain outposts, such as Tunis, would eventually strive for independence from Istanbul, these reforms remained intact until 1922ce when the Ottoman Empire was ultimately dissolved. For his own part, Ahmad I, Bey of Tunis, also made numerous reforms in the coinage of his country. Too, it is important to note that all coins were minted mechanically from this time forward, no longer by hand.

Reformed Coinage: Apparently, the sultan and his court in Istanbul had taken note of the 1846 visit to Paris. Most certainly in order to placate the somewhat rebellious tendencies of the Tunisian regime, the name of the Bey was explicitly noted on the reverse of all Tunisian coins minted after 1272ah (1855ce). Muhammed Bey, for example, was named during the remaining years of his reign from 1272ah until his death in 1276ah (1859ce).

The color of this particular coin is rather unusual. Indeed, the fields on this second example also dated 1272ah give evidence to the fact that the coin must have survived a fire, perhaps explaining why the gold content is slightly higher than the coin in the previous lot.