1 Akçe - Muhammad b. Ibrahim

Historical Context: This Akçe was issued under Muhammad b. Ibrahim, Bey of the Menteshe Beylik, ruling approximately 1359-1390. Menteshe, a significant maritime power in southwestern Anatolia, operated during a tumultuous period of Byzantine decline and Ottoman expansion. Muhammad b. Ibrahim's coinage asserted his sovereignty and the Beylik's economic independence, reflecting its strategic importance before its eventual Ottoman absorption. The Akçe, a widely circulated silver denomination, underpinned the regional economy.

Artistry: The artistry of this Akçe adheres to established Islamic numismatic tradition. Lacking a specific engraver, its design likely emanated from anonymous court engravers or local mint masters. The stylistic school is aniconic, prioritizing calligraphic inscriptions over figural representation. Both obverse and reverse feature Arabic legends, typically in Naskh script, detailing the ruler's name, patronymic, and potentially a mint or date, reflecting the functional and religious tenets of Islamic coinage.

Technical/Grading: Given the Akçe's small size and 0.88 gram weight, technical strike qualities are variable. High-points for grading include the legibility and completeness of central legends, particularly the ruler's name and titles. Common characteristics include irregular flan shapes, off-center strikes leading to portions of the inscription being off-flan, and varying strike pressure. Weakness on peripheries is frequent; die wear can impact calligraphy crispness. A well-centered strike with full legends is highly desirable for this type.