ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · Unknown early 20th-century mint-master · Public domain
Mehmed V 1 Kurush
Turkey
1909–1918
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$3.16
Based on Silver spot price ($78.96/oz) · 83.0% purity · 1.5g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Turkey |
| Years Minted | 1909–1918 |
| Composition | 83% silver |
| Weight | 1.5 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Shape | Round |
Design
Obverse
Features the tughra of Sultan Mehmed V.
Reverse
Displays the denomination and year in Arabic script.
History & Notable Facts
Mehmed V's 1 Kurush coin was struck using silver alloys diluted by wartime necessities, a pragmatic shift that mirrored the Ottoman Empire's fading resources.
That decision came during his reign from 1909 to 1918, as Istanbul's mint churned out these coins for everyday use amid political upheaval. The obverse bore the sultan's tughra, that elaborate calligraphic emblem, while the reverse listed the denomination in a mix of Arabic and Turkish script. It's a simple design, really, without the flourishes of earlier eras.
Exact mintage figures? They're murky, lost in the empire's chaotic archives. Some years saw millions produced, others far fewer, but records don't specify.
If you handle one, note the edge is reeded to deter clipping—a common scam back then. As for myths, people love claiming these coins cursed the empire. Nonsense; they were just currency.
Not every coin tells a grand tale.
Buy on eBay
AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The Mehmed V 1 Kurush has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
Get AI-powered analysis for this coin
Unlock with Pro — $9.99/mo