OTTOMAN TUNIS
Mahmud II (1223-1255ah / 1808-1839ce)
Two very rare and historically important medals
medal 1846ce (1262ah) Ae 61.05g unpublished RR xf+ During the three centuries of Ottoman rule, the local authorities in Tunis, known as Beys, governed semi-autonomously.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!