OTTOMAN EMPIRE.Mahmud II (1223-1255h).Tunus( تونس). 1248 AH.

Obv : السلطان البيرين وخان البحرين السلطان محمود خان عز نصارى.
The Sultan of the Continents and Khan of the Seas, Sultan Mahmud Khan.

Rev : ضرب تونس ١٢٤٨.
Minted in Tunis 1248.

Condition : Very good condition with sharp features and nice patina.Extrelemy fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 11.28 gr
Diameter : 32 mm

During the Ottoman period, the province of Tunis was an important hub for both commerce and culture, operating under the semi-autonomous rule of the Husainid dynasty while maintaining ties to the central Ottoman administration in Istanbul. One of the most intriguing aspects of this relationship was the minting of coins in Tunis, which not only facilitated local trade but also symbolized the connection between the Ottoman Empire and its North African provinces. Among the coins minted in Tunis, the Kharub stands out as a distinctive denomination that played a significant role in the local economy.

The Husainid beys of Tunis, who ruled from 1705 until the French protectorate was established in 1881, enjoyed a high degree of autonomy under the Ottoman Empire. Despite this autonomy, Tunis continued to mint coins in the name of the Ottoman sultans, and the local mint became a crucial part of the region’s economic infrastructure. The coins minted in Tunis, including the Kharub, were essential for maintaining trade within the province and with the rest of the Ottoman Empire, as well as for transactions with European traders.

The production of local coins such as the Kharub also reflected the province's need to adapt to both local economic conditions and broader imperial policies. As a copper-based coin, the Kharub played a vital role in the everyday economy of Tunis, where it was used primarily for small-scale transactions.

The Kharub was a low-value copper coin, making it a practical currency for day-to-day commerce in Tunis. It was widely used in local markets for the purchase of goods and services, particularly by the lower and middle classes. The Kharub’s value made it accessible to a broad section of the population, and its wide circulation highlights the importance of copper coinage in sustaining local economic activity.

The Kharub was minted from copper, a material commonly used for low-denomination coins in the Ottoman Empire. Copper was chosen because of its abundance and relatively low cost, making it ideal for producing coins that could be widely distributed for everyday use. Unlike silver or gold coins, which were reserved for larger transactions or savings, copper coins like the Kharub were used primarily in local markets and by ordinary citizens.

Like other Ottoman coins minted in the provinces, the Kharub bore inscriptions that linked it to the ruling sultan. Coins minted in Tunis during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839) would typically feature the sultan’s tughra (imperial monogram), along with the mint location—usually inscribed as "Zarb Tunus" (minted in Tunis). These inscriptions reinforced the symbolic connection between the province and the central Ottoman authority, even though Tunis operated with significant autonomy.

In addition to the sultan’s tughra, the Kharub often featured Islamic calligraphy, which was a hallmark of Ottoman coinage. These inscriptions typically included religious phrases such as the shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith) or blessings for the sultan. The detailed design of these copper coins, despite their relatively low value, reflects the importance placed on maintaining a unified visual representation of Ottoman sovereignty across the empire’s vast territories.

The Kharub played a crucial role in the daily economic life of Tunis, functioning as the primary currency for small transactions. Its copper composition and relatively low value made it accessible to a wide range of people, from merchants and craftsmen to farmers and laborers. The widespread use of the Kharub underscores its importance in supporting local commerce and maintaining economic stability in the region.

The majority of transactions involving the Kharub took place in local markets, where people used the coin to purchase basic necessities such as food, clothing, and household goods. The Kharub’s low denomination made it ideal for such transactions, as it allowed for the exchange of small amounts of goods or services without the need for higher-value currency, which might not have been readily available or practical for everyday purchases.

The use of the Kharub also facilitated trade between rural and urban areas, as farmers and producers from the countryside brought their goods to market in Tunis, where the Kharub was widely accepted. This helped to integrate different parts of the region’s economy and ensured that local markets remained vibrant and functional.

While the Kharub was widely used for small-scale transactions, it existed alongside higher-value Ottoman coins such as silver kuruş and gold altın. These coins were typically reserved for larger transactions, such as the purchase of luxury goods or for use in long-distance trade. The coexistence of the Kharub with these higher-denomination coins allowed for a more flexible and efficient monetary system, as different types of coins were used for different purposes within the local economy.

Despite its importance in local commerce, the use of the Kharub and other copper coins faced challenges during the 19th century, as the economic conditions in Tunis, and the Ottoman Empire more broadly, became increasingly difficult. Inflation, driven by various factors including military expenditures, external debt, and fluctuations in the value of silver and gold, put pressure on the Ottoman monetary system.

One of the key challenges faced by the Tunisian economy during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II was inflation, which affected the value of copper coins like the Kharub. As the Ottoman government struggled to manage its finances, the empire resorted to debasement of the currency, which involved reducing the metal content of coins in order to produce more money. This, in turn, led to a decline in the purchasing power of copper coins like the Kharub, causing economic hardship for those who relied on these coins for their daily transactions.

Another challenge to the Kharub’s role in the Tunisian economy was the increasing presence of European currencies. As European influence in North Africa grew, particularly after the French conquest of Algeria in 1830, European coins began to circulate more widely in Tunis. This competition with European currency further eroded the value of local coinage and complicated the already fragile economic situation.

Beyond its practical use, the Kharub also held symbolic significance as a representation of the Ottoman Empire’s sovereignty in Tunis. Even though the province operated with a high degree of autonomy, the minting of Ottoman coins like the Kharub served as a reminder of the province’s formal relationship with the empire. The presence of the sultan’s tughra on the coin, along with the inscription of "Zarb Tunus," reinforced the notion that Tunis remained a part of the Ottoman imperial system, even as local rulers exercised significant control over the province’s internal affairs.

In this sense, the Kharub was more than just a medium of exchange—it was a tangible symbol of the complex political and economic relationships that defined the Ottoman presence in North Africa. Its circulation in local markets connected the people of Tunis to the broader Ottoman world, while also reflecting the unique local dynamics that shaped the province’s semi-autonomous status.

The Kharub, a copper coin minted in Tunis during the Ottoman period, played a vital role in the local economy, particularly in small-scale transactions and local markets. Its widespread use reflects the importance of copper coinage in sustaining daily commerce and supporting the broader monetary system of the Ottoman Empire. Despite its low value, the Kharub held both practical and symbolic significance, representing the province’s economic vitality and its continued connection to the Ottoman imperial structure.

However, the Kharub also faced challenges, particularly as inflation and European economic influence began to erode the stability of the Ottoman monetary system in the 19th century. As a result, the story of the Kharub provides valuable insights into the economic and political complexities of Ottoman rule in North Africa, and its legacy remains a testament to the dynamic history of coinage in the region.