Ottoman Empire 100 Kurush (Lira) - Abdul Hamid II
Country of Origin: Ottoman Empire (Modern-day Turkey)
Year of Issue: AH 1293 // RY 33 (Approx. 1908 AD)
Denomination: 100 Kurush (1 Gold Lira)
Composition: 0.917 Gold
Brief Description
A classic Ottoman gold coin featuring the Sultan's calligraphic monogram (Tughra) on the obverse and registry information on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Issued during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the last Sultan to exert effective control over the fracturing Ottoman State. This period saw the 'Young Turk Revolution' and significant modernization efforts mixed with political turmoil.
Estimated Value
$480 - $550 (primarily based on gold bullion value plus a small numismatic premium)
Care Instructions
Handle by the edges with clean hands or cotton gloves. Gold is soft and scratches easily; do not clean or polish chemically. Store in a PVC-free plastic holder or capsule.
Mint Mark
Kostantiniyye (Istanbul) Mint
Mintage & Rarity
Common; high mintage year for this series.
Weight & Diameter
7.22 grams, 22 mm
Edge
Reeded
Apparent Grade
Extremely Fine (XF) - Shows light wear on the higher calligraphic elements but retains crisp wreath details and original luster.
Obverse (Front)
Features the Tughra (calligraphic monogram) of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, surrounded by a laurel wreath and flanked by five stars at the top. The regnal year '33' is visible to the right of the Tughra.
Reverse (Back)
Arabic inscription 'Azzanassruhu Dhuriba fi Kostantiniyye 1293' (May he be victorious, struck in Constantinople, 1293 AH), surrounded by an ornate wreath.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Current gold spot price is the primary factor. Higher grades (MS-60+) or rare regnal years can command a higher collector premium.
Similar Coins
Often confused with the smaller 25 or 50 Kurush coins, or the larger 250 and 500 Kurush 'Monnaie-de-Luxe' decorative issues which have different diameters.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Verify weight (7.22g) and diameter (22mm) precisely. Modern jewelry copies exist; authentic coins have crisp, sharp lettering and correct gold fineness (22k).
Notable Varieties & Errors
Standard currency issue; no major varieties for this specific year.
Created At: 2026-06-16T08:46:18.395469