Ottoman Akce of Rhodes

The Ottoman Akce from Rhodes was typically struck on copper planchets sourced from recycled metals, a practical choice in a far-flung province where resources were scarce.

That meant these coins often bore the faint traces of earlier currencies, like worn designs from Venetian or Byzantine pieces melted down in Ottoman forges. Weighing just a few grams, the Akce featured the sultan's tughra—a calligraphic emblem that asserted imperial authority across the empire. Variations exist, but exact designs depended on the reign, from Suleiman I onward.

Mintage figures for Rhodes remain murky; records might have been destroyed during later conflicts. Still, as a copper coin, it handled everyday transactions, from market stalls to taxes.

One oddity: its size made it easy to lose in a pocket, much like a modern key.