Watch List notes:

EGYPT: Ali Bey, 1769-1771, AR piastre (11.49g), Misr, AH1183, KM-117, believed to be the finest known example, graded PCGS Genuine VF Details due to a couple of minuscule scratches in obverse field, barely noticeable without a magnifier, in our opinion this could grade EF for this crudely produced type, a key specimen for any Egypt collection, PCGS graded VF Details, RRR, ex Ken Bovenkamp Collection; ex Spink Auction 7018, Lot 580 (June 2007). Ali Bey Al-Kabir was originally a Mamluk soldier. Born in the region of Abkhazia in Georgia, Ali Bey was kidnapped and brought to Cairo in 1743 where he was sold into slavery. He was recruited into the Mamluk force in which he gradually rose in ranks and influence, winning the top office of sheikh al-balad (chief of the country) in 1760. He rose to prominence in 1768 when he rebelled against his Ottoman rulers making Egypt independent. The insubordination of his most trusted general, Abu al-Dhahab, led to Ali Bey's exile then death outside the walls of Cairo. We can find no other examples of this coin listed on Coin Archives, only this piece, which was sold by Spink in June 2007.

Estimate: 6,000-8,000 USD