Ottoman Empire (1574-1705) Coin List

The Ottoman Empire ruled Tunisia from 1574 to 1705, a period that left a significant mark on the history and numismatics of the region. During this time, Tunisia underwent political, economic and cultural changes that were reflected in its monetary systems and minted coins.

Ottoman rule and monetary system

Following the conquest of Tunisia by the Ottomans in 1574, a system of government was established based on beylerbeys and then deys, who acted as representatives of the Ottoman sultan. This period saw the introduction of the Ottoman monetary system in Tunisia, with coins such as the akçe and para circulating alongside local currencies. The Tunis mint, known as Dar al-Sikka, continued to operate under Ottoman supervision, producing coins that combined local and Ottoman design elements. These pieces often featured Arabic inscriptions that included the name of the reigning Ottoman sultan and the date of minting according to the Islamic calendar.

Numismatic evolution and Ottoman decline

Throughout the 17th century, the Ottoman influence on Tunisian coinage began to gradually decline. Coins began to display more local characteristics, reflecting the increasing autonomy of Tunisian rulers. A notable example is the burbe, a silver coin specific to Tunisia that gained prominence during this period. Towards the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries, Ottoman control weakened further, culminating in the establishment of the Husayni dynasty in 1705, which marked the effective end of direct Ottoman rule. Coins from this transitional period are particularly interesting to numismatists as they reflect the gradual shift from Ottoman power to local rule, with designs incorporating both Ottoman and Tunisian elements, providing a fascinating visual record of this crucial historical period.

The most valuable and popular coins

The most valuable Ottoman Empire (1574-1705) coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Old coins of Tunisia

To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of Tunisia.

Coin Catalog

Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Tunisia

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