Beşlik - Murad IV

Murad IV came to power at eleven years old in 1623, with the empire effectively controlled by his mother Kösem Sultan during his early reign. The beşlik — a five-akçe piece — was among the small silver denominations keeping everyday commerce functioning during a period of severe monetary debasement, when the akçe itself had lost so much silver content that multi-akçe struck pieces became the practical unit of exchange. Murad would later reassert personal control with considerable violence, executing thousands and banning coffee and tobacco under penalty of death.