Ottoman Akce
Egypt
1517–1798
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Specifications
| Country | Egypt |
| Years Minted | 1517–1798 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Shape | Round |
Design
Obverse
Depicts the tughra of the Ottoman sultan along with Arabic inscriptions indicating the ruler's name and titles.
Reverse
Features Arabic text including the mint name, such as 'Misr' for Egypt, and the Hijri date.
History & Notable Facts
The Ottoman Akce in Egypt was minted from recycled copper scraps, a thrifty practice that kept the empire's coffers flowing during lean times.
These copper coins, struck in Cairo and other provincial mints between 1517 and 1798, formed the backbone of everyday transactions. A single Akce might buy a loaf of bread or settle a minor debt. Their designs were simple—typically featuring the sultan's name and a date in Arabic script—but variations in weight and size made them unreliable for precise accounting.
We don't know exact mintage figures; Ottoman records for Egypt are fragmentary at best. What survives shows these coins circulated widely, even as inflation eroded their value.
Counterfeits were common, which is no surprise in a vast empire.
One thing's certain: handling an Akce today reminds you that not every coin needs to be a masterpiece to tell a story.
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