Whatzit?

boiler78

I found this in a box of mixed foreign coins that a neighbor gave me to sell and I have no idea what it is. I figure someone here can assist me as many of you have done in the past.




Mark

Hyperion

no denomination or id, just a fantasy coin of some type ?
the printing on the reverse is like the type of writing where you can read it both regular orientation and upside down, but I can't read it well. maybe it's easier to notice in hand ?
or maybe it's not english ?

T I M E
C H R Y or I T H I ?

Ive flipped the image but can't make it out.

wild guesses.

newsman

If it's real, it's a Turkish gold bullion issue, denomination depending on size. The largest is the 500 kurus KM874. It should weigh 35.08 grams and contain 1.0338 oz gold. The smallest, the 25 kurus KM870, weighs 1.754 grams and has .0517 oz of gold.

boiler78

Thanks newsman The coin appears to be gold and weighs 17.55g on my scales so I assume it is 250 kurus?

newsman

<< <i>Thanks newsman The coin appears to be gold and weighs 17.55g on my scales so I assume it is 250 kurus? >>



That looks about right, 250 kurus KM873. A little more than 1/2 ounce of gold.

Hyperion

LOL, noone said it was gold
weigh that sucker

I shouldnt' have read "The Davinchi code" or I would have never thought of that upside-down writing.
I feel like an idiot

Sapyx

<< <i>the printing on the reverse is like the type of writing where you can read it both regular orientation and upside down, but I can't read it well. maybe it's easier to notice in hand ?
or maybe it's not english ? >>


That's actually an attempt to write a toughra (the ornate royal signature whiuch appears on Ottoman coins) using the Western alphabet adopted when Turkey became a republic. It actually says "TURKIYE CUMHURIYETI" ("Republic of Turkey", in Turkish) - the same inscription that appears on "normal" Turkish coins.

So if you were ever wondering what a toughra would look like if you could read Arabic, I'd imagine it would look something like that.

SYRACUSIAN

If it's real, it's a Turkish gold bullion issue, denomination depending on size.



It is a monnaie de luxe, larger in diameter and thinner than ordinary bullion issues. More ornamental in its design too which is why they are so popular for jewelry use.