OTTOMAN EMPIRE: Barbarossa ("Redbeard"), cast AE medal (9.65g), Habich I, 1403; Löbebecke 409; Lanna 1003, 26mm, for the Turkish corsair Khair ed-Din (ca. 1483-1546), best known as Barbarossa ("Redbeard"), bust right, wearing a turban and coat, BARBA ROSSA // 3-line inscription in (mal-formed) Arabic, khair ed-din pasha jaza'ir sultani, VF-XF, RR. Barbarossa and his brother Aruj captured Algiers from the Spanish in 1518, which he placed under Turkish rule. He was appointed Governor in 1519 when Selim I bestowed on him the title Pasha. He then conquered the rest of the Barbary States. In 1533 he was appointed Kapudan Pasha (admiral of the Turkish fleet) and between then and 1544, he twice defeated the Genoese Admiral, Andrea Doria.

Estimate: USD 400 - 600