Altun (coin)
Altun ( Ottoman التون 'Gold' ), also Sultani or Aschrafi is the name for a gold coin of the Ottoman Empire , which was first issued under Sultan Mehmed II in 1454 after the conquest of Byzantium. With a weight of approx. 3.44 g, the coin is based on the Venetian zecchine . It bears the sultan's name as a motif on the obverse, as well as the year and place of his assumption of government. On the back are the sultan's titles. From 1703 (under Sultan Ahmed III. ) The name of the sultan was struck on the coins in tughra form (official signature in ornate Arabic script). The coin remains stable in its fine weight for a long time . It did not get a competitor until the 18th century with the 2.5 g heavy Zeri Mahbub . At the beginning of the 19th century its weight and value dwindled more and more and it was finally replaced by the piaster .