100 kurus 1877
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
A striking example of the 1877 Ottoman Imperial Bank 100 Kuruş note featuring the characteristic pink-mauve ornate border with baroque scrollwork framing Ottoman Turkish inscriptions. The note displays the Toughra (imperial monogram) of Abdul Hamid II and the Seal of Galip on the reverse, with an official oval banker's stamp from the Constantinople headquarters dated 1877. In Fine condition, this example shows natural aging consistent with a 146-year-old document, with minor foxing and a horizontal fold line, yet remains well-preserved and fully legible.
Common. The eBay price history provided shows this denomination regularly trading in the $40-65 range for VF examples and around $50 for F grade specimens, with 2016 catalog values listing F grade at only $15. Multiple sales with strong bidding activity (20+ bids typical) and the existence of at least two cataloged Pick varieties (P-51a and P-51b) indicate these notes were produced in significant quantities and remain readily available to collectors.
Issued during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1876-1909), this note represents the early standardized currency efforts of the Ottoman Empire through its Imperial Bank. The prominent Toughra at the top center and the formal French inscriptions on the reverse reflect the Ottoman state's adoption of European banking practices and the importance of the Banque Impériale Ottomane in modernizing Ottoman financial infrastructure during the late 19th century.
The obverse features a symmetrical design dominated by an intricate pink-mauve decorative border with elaborate baroque-style scrollwork and floral patterns in fine engraving. The center displays a cream-colored field with four lines of Ottoman Turkish script in careful calligraphic arrangement. At the top center is the Toughra of Abdul Hamid II rendered as a decorative calligraphic emblem with crescent and star motif, the imperial signature of the reigning sultan. Corner circular medallions contain the numeric denomination. The reverse presents a cleaner design with a cream background, featuring at the top a circular seal with ornate Ottoman calligraphy (identified as the Seal of Galip based on catalog references), and at the bottom an oval authenticating stamp from the Banque Impériale Ottomane with Constantinople imprint and 1877 date.
FRONT: 'اوراق نقدي' (Banknote/Paper money), 'دولت علیم دول' (Ottoman State), with additional Ottoman Turkish inscriptions indicating the note's official status and denomination. BACK: 'ENREGISTRÉ PAR LA BANQUE IMPERIALE OTTOMANE' (Registered by the Ottoman Imperial Bank), 'CONSTANTINOPLE' (Constantinople), and '1877' (year of issue), with serial reference '42 · 40,623'.
Engraved intaglio printing, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate border patterns, and precise calligraphic reproductions visible throughout. The security features include detailed baroque scrollwork borders and fine engraving that would have been characteristic of European-trained Ottoman security printers of the period. The note exhibits the quality typical of professional central bank currency production.
This note is cataloged as Pick P-51b, one of two identified varieties for this base Pick number. The external reference indicates P-51b features the Toughra of Abdul Hamid II (distinguishing it from P-45 which carries the Toughra of Murad V). The note displays handstamp elements including a round AH1294 handstamp and an oval handstamp on the reverse, which may contribute to identifying the specific variety and issue state.
