2019-06-17 Mon

Mehmed II is also known as Mehmed the Conqueror was the seventh Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, first for a short time from 1444 to 1446, and later from1451 to 1481. Mehmed is considered a hero in modern-day Turkey and parts of the wider Muslim world.

At the age of 21, he conquered Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). After the takeover, Mehmed moved his capital from Edrine to Constantinople. He extended the Ottoman control from southeastern Europe to the Danube and from Anatolia to the Euphrates River.

During the reign, he issued gold and silver coins in the denomination of Akce, Sultani, and Altun. The above shown gold Sultani was issued during his second reign from Constantinople mint. Both sides of coin illustrate the Persian legend. The reverse is read as ‘Sultan Mehmed Bin Murad Khan Fi 883 Zarb’ Qustuntuniya’.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions