Greece (Lesbos) Countermark on Ottoman 1277/4 20 Para
Offered is a very unusual ‘Abdul Aziz Toughra’ countermarked 1864 Ottoman 20 Para countermarked on the isle of Lesbos in Greece, Wilsky type A-T01 (page 88), Zeno#100102, KM#401 (host).
Lesbos had been conquered by the Turks in 1462, and would remain under their control until 1912 when it was liberated during the First Balkan War. Owing to chronic shortages of coin on the island, hard currency would trade at a premium, leading to merchants importing coin for profit from mainland Anatolia, as well as other regions, creating knock-on circulation issues. In response, Ottoman authorities instituted various ‘validation schemes’ so as to distinguish valid specie from illicitly imported coin.
All of the Greek countermarks are scarce, but this example has the added benefit of an appealing host example, and a clear punch - truly a choice example. A fascinating and desirable piece.
Offered is a very unusual ‘Abdul Aziz Toughra’ countermarked 1864 Ottoman 20 Para countermarked on the isle of Lesbos in Greece, Wilsky type A-T01 (page 88), Zeno#100102, KM#401 (host).
Lesbos had been conquered by the Turks in 1462, and would remain under their control until 1912 when it was liberated during the First Balkan War. Owing to chronic shortages of coin on the island, hard currency would trade at a premium, leading to merchants importing coin for profit from mainland Anatolia, as well as other regions, creating knock-on circulation issues. In response, Ottoman authorities instituted various ‘validation schemes’ so as to distinguish valid specie from illicitly imported coin.
All of the Greek countermarks are scarce, but this example has the added benefit of an appealing host example, and a clear punch - truly a choice example. A fascinating and desirable piece.
Offered is a very unusual ‘Abdul Aziz Toughra’ countermarked 1864 Ottoman 20 Para countermarked on the isle of Lesbos in Greece, Wilsky type A-T01 (page 88), Zeno#100102, KM#401 (host).
Lesbos had been conquered by the Turks in 1462, and would remain under their control until 1912 when it was liberated during the First Balkan War. Owing to chronic shortages of coin on the island, hard currency would trade at a premium, leading to merchants importing coin for profit from mainland Anatolia, as well as other regions, creating knock-on circulation issues. In response, Ottoman authorities instituted various ‘validation schemes’ so as to distinguish valid specie from illicitly imported coin.
All of the Greek countermarks are scarce, but this example has the added benefit of an appealing host example, and a clear punch - truly a choice example. A fascinating and desirable piece.