Altmislik (Ottoman Empire): History and Debasement

Illustrated Specimen Details: Altmislik

Example Specimen: Altmislik, 1767 AD (AH 1180)

Authority: Issued during the reign of Mustafa III (ruled 1757-1774), the 26th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The obverse displays the Sultan's Tuğra and the accession year AH 1171, while the regnal year "80" (indicating AH 1180) is found on the reverse.

Inscriptions: The obverse legend translates as: "Sultan Mustafa son of Ahmed Khan, may his reign last. Struck in Islambol (Constantinople)". The reverse honors the monarch as: "Sultan of the two lands and Khagan of two seas. Sultan, son of the Sultan".

1. OTTOMAN EMPIRE (18th-19th centuries): 1 altmislik = 60 para = 2 zolota = 1/2 kuruş (initially)

ALTMISLIK as a coin name: Derived from the Turkish word "altmış" meaning "sixty", this name refers to the coin's accounting value of 60 para. In Western numismatic catalogs, it is frequently referred to as a "Double Zolota".

History and Evolution of the Altmislik

The altmışlık was a significant silver denomination introduced during the mid-18th century as part of the Ottoman Empire's efforts to stabilize its complex monetary system. It served as a bridge between small-scale daily transactions and high-value commerce.

Accounting vs. Physical Standard

The most striking feature of the altmislik is that its name reflects an accounting value (60 para) rather than a fixed physical weight. Because the Ottoman currency suffered from chronic debasement, the physical characteristics of the altmislik changed dramatically over time. 18th-century specimens, like those of Mustafa III, are massive silver crowns weighing 26-30 grams. By the mid-19th century under Abdulmejid I, the same denomination had shrunk to a small coin of approximately 3 grams, reflecting the massive loss of silver content in the Ottoman kuruş system.

Design and Symbolism

As with most Ottoman coinage of the era, the altmislik avoided human portraiture due to religious tradition. Instead, it focused on exquisite calligraphy. The Tuğra (imperial monogram) of the Sultan is always the central artistic element, combined with floral ornaments and titles that emphasized the Sultan's rule over "two lands" (Rumelia and Anatolia) and "two seas" (the Mediterranean and Black Seas).

The Dating System

Collectors must be careful with Ottoman dates: the year AH 1171 seen on the obverse of Mustafa III's coins is the Accession Year (the year he became Sultan). The actual Year of Minting is determined by the regnal year (or a shortened Islamic date) found on the reverse. For example, the number "80" on a Mustafa III coin indicates AH 1180, which corresponds to 1767 AD.

Numismatic Significance

Today, 18th-century altmisliks are prized for their impressive size and historical weight. They represent the final era of the "large silver" Ottoman tradition before inflation forced the empire into the tiny, thin billon issues of the 19th century. They are essential for understanding the transition from the classical akçe system to the modern kuruш-based economy.