Zeri Mahbub - Mustafa IV

Mustafa IV ruled for just over a year before being deposed and executed in July 1808 by supporters of his successor Mahmud II, making every issue of his reign uncommon by simple virtue of its brevity. The Zeri Mahbub was the standard Ottoman gold denomination struck at the Misr mint in Cairo — a mint that had been under French occupation as recently as 1801 and was still recalibrating its output under restored Ottoman administration when these were produced.

The .685 fineness reflects a long decline from earlier Ottoman gold standards, a debasement trajectory that accelerated through the late 18th century.