2020-02-03 Mon

Mehmed II also known as Mehmed the conqueror was a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire twice, first for a short time from 1444 to 1446, and later from 1451 to 1481. Mehmed is considered a hero in modern-day Turkey and parts of the wider Muslim world.

Mehmed II was born on 30th March 1432, in Edrine, then the capital of the Ottoman State. Today on 3rd February in the year 1451, Mehmed II ascended the throne again. He devoted himself to strengthening the Ottoman navy and made preparations for an attack on Constantinople. At the age of 21, he conquered Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and brought an end to the Eastern Roman Empire.

After the takeover, Mehmed moved his capital from Edirne to Constantinople. During the reign, he issued gold and silver coins in the denomination of Akce, Sultani, and Altun. The Altun omitted the religious formulas that had been standard until then, and instead gave the names and titles of the Sultan together with the date and the mint.

The above shown silver Akce was issued during his second reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of coins has the legend ‘Mehmed Sultan bin Murad han’. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved ‘Azze nasruhu Qustantiniyah duribe’.

Image Source: www.coinarchives.com