Watch List notes:

Turkey. Ottoman. Murad V (AH 1293/1876 AD). 25 Kurush, accession AH 1293, year 1. Toughra, crescent and stars above, year, crossed quivers and spray below. KM 713. Murad became sultan after his uncle `Abd al-`Aziz was deposed in 1876. But when he showed signs of paranoia and madness early on, the Sublime Porte was worried the people would clamor to have `Abd al-`Aziz returned to the throne. `Abd al-`Aziz was found in his tower prison cell with both his wrists slit by scissors that were reputedly smuggled in. Officially the former sultan committed suicide, but evidence points to his being assassinated. Murad V, though, only ruled 93 days before he too was deposed. This time on grounds of mental illness. The termination of his rule occurred conveniently before he could implement the democratic reforms he desired for his country. Well-struck and attractive. EF-AU. Rare in this grade.

Estimate: $400.00 - $500.00