OTTOMAN TUNIS
Mahmud II (1223-1255ah / 1808-1839ce)
Two very rare and historically important medals
medal 1846ce (1262ah) AR 66.05g unpublished RRRR sm. rim nicks, xf 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 d’Antan, 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!