1914-H Egypt Ottoman 20 Qirsh Silver Crown Mehmed V Heaton AH 1327 Year 6 KM#310 For Sale

1914-H OTTOMAN EGYPT 20 QIRSH | SILVER CROWN |MEHMED V REŞAD | HEATON MINT BIRMINGHAM | AH1327 REGNAL | KM#310

This substantial crown-sized silver issue was produced by the Birmingham Heaton Mint for Egypt during the final phase of the Ottoman Khedivate. The “H” mintmark identifies Heaton, one of Britain’s most historically important private contract mints. Standard references confirm the .833 silver composition, 28 g weight, 40 mm diameter and KM#310 attribution.

IDENTIFICATION:

Issuer: Egypt, Ottoman Khedivate

Ottoman Ruler: Sultan Mehmed V Reşad (Egypt’s local ruler was Khedive Abbas II)

Denomination: 20 Qirsh silver crown

Date: AH 1327, Regnal Year 6 — conventionally cataloged as 1914-H

Mint: Birmingham Heaton Mint

Diameter: approximately 40 mm

Edge: Reeded

OBVERSE:

The obverse features the elaborate imperial tughra, or calligraphic monogram, of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V Reşad. The Arabic denomination ٢٠ قرش identifies the coin as 20 Qirsh. An ornate floral and agricultural wreath surrounds the central design, with the small “H” Heaton mintmark positioned at the base.

REVERSE:

The reverse carries the Arabic inscription:

٦

ضرب في مصر

١٣٢٧

Translation:

Regnal Year 6

“Struck in Egypt”

AH 1327

The inscription is surrounded by a detailed wreath and three stars. The AH 1327 date represents Mehmed V’s accession year, while the numeral 6 indicates the sixth regnal year. The legends and translations correspond to the standard catalog attribution.

DIE & STRIKE ANALYSIS:

This example was struck on a broad, well-centered flan with the complete design comfortably contained inside the rims. The intricate tughra remains sharply delineated, including its narrow internal calligraphic lines. The Arabic inscriptions, denomination, regnal year and AH date are all clear and immediately readable.

The wreath retains extensive leaf, stem and floral detail on both sides. The central elements display particularly strong definition, while only minor softness appears across a few of the highest and most peripheral design points. The rims are complete and the reeded edge is clearly preserved. No major die displacement, severe doubling or significant striking defect is evident.

SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS:

The coin displays attractive silver-gray surfaces with substantial remaining luster visible under angled illumination. Fine original texture remains across the fields, complemented by localized charcoal-gray toning around portions of the wreath and selected recesses. This contrast helps emphasize the Arabic calligraphy and intricate floral engraving.

Scattered circulation marks are consistent with a large silver coin of this period, but the overall appearance remains strong and cohesive. Based on the visible detail and retained brilliance, this is best presented as a high-grade XF/AU-range example, with final grading left to the buyer.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & CONTEXT

This issue was produced at a pivotal moment in Egyptian and Ottoman history. Although Egypt remained legally under Ottoman sovereignty, Britain had exercised effective military control since 1882. The coin nevertheless continued to bear the tughra of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V, visually preserving Egypt’s formal relationship with the Ottoman Empire.

That political arrangement ended during World War I. After the Ottoman Empire entered the conflict alongside the Central Powers, Britain formally terminated Ottoman suzerainty over Egypt and declared the country a British protectorate in December 1914.

The AH 1327/Year 6 issue therefore represents one of the final major silver types of Ottoman-era Egypt. Catalog records assign 875,000 examples to the variety, with 825,000 reportedly produced in 1915 and another 50,000 in 1916 using the established AH 1327/6 dating. This unusual dating history gives the coin exceptional transitional significance: its Ottoman tughra and Khedival design continued to be struck after Egypt’s formal political separation from Ottoman rule.

COLLECTOR INSIGHTS:

* Large 40 mm crown-sized Egyptian silver issue

* .833 fine silver with approximately 0.750 oz actual silver weight

* Elaborate tughra of Sultan Mehmed V Reşad

* Desirable AH 1327, Regnal Year 6 attribution

* Birmingham Heaton Mint “H” issue

* KM#310; MHC#186; TBM#EG22

* Strong remaining detail and visible luster

* Clear Arabic inscriptions, date and denomination

* Final transitional coinage of Ottoman-era Egypt

As with all inventory this will ship the next business day and you will receive the exact coin pictured- No stock photos!