News from Spink

The collection of Ottoman coins of the late Mr Kenneth Malcolm MacKenzie (1917-2005) to be auctioned by Spink on 27th June.

Kenneth MacKenzie was considered to be one of the greatest authorities on Ottoman coinage. Although long resident in New Jersey, it is perhaps fitting that his collection is being sold within the UK as his family were of Scottish origin, and he was born in Devon. He had been collecting coins since his father gave him some Chinese Cash at a young age, but his interest in Ottoman coins was sparked by his post-war visits to R.L. Protassowski at Seaby’s. After his career in publishing dictated that he and his family move America in the late 1940s, he began his second career as volunteer curator of Ottoman coins at the American Numismatic Society in New York For some 40 years he not only relabelled and verified the identity of every Ottoman coin in the collection, but also those of their predecessors, the Beyliks, as well as being instrumental in the acquisition of the important Jem Sultan collection for the museum. He was elected a fellow of the Society in 1974, and received its first Distinguished Volunteer Award in 1997.

As a great researcher who published around 200 articles and two books on his subject, his collection might well be expected to be exceptional. It ranges over the entirety of the Ottoman world, being particularly rich in the hard-to-get smaller denominations and unusual items such as the elusive Akçes of the warring Çelebi brothers (lots 517-518) and the later copper coins of Baghdad and Mecca (lots 597, 598 & 613). The issues of Misr (lots 579-95), Tripoli (lots 599-605), Tunisia (lots 606-609) and Algeria (569-574) are well represented, as one would expect, but examples of the output of over 30 lesser mints including Gumushane, Kaffa and Van are rarely encountered and are sure to be eagerly contested, as will such rarities as the Piastre of the short-lived ruler Mustafa IV (1807-8) (lot 545)and the 20-Piastres of Abdul Mejid struck in Egypt in 1839 (lot 586).

Lot 545

Lot 586

The collection is by no means limited to standard Ottoman issues, but extends back in time to encompass their predecessors in Anatolia, the Beyliks (lots 511-515), and their early associates in Crimea, the Giray Khans (lots 575-578), and forward into the 20th century with a comprehensive collection of countermarked coins of the Greek islands and western Asia Minor (lots.566 -7).

Lot 566

This important reference collection was the basis for the book “Countermarks of the Ottoman Empire 1880-1922” written by Kenneth MacKenzie together with S. Lachman.  Further ancillary items include an exceptionally fine collection of commemorative medals struck to commemorate the Ottoman Empire’s many 19th century military campaigns (lots 619-641), and a good selection of scarce pictorial copper falus of Iran and Afghanistan (lot 611), not to forget a 20-Piastre of Mohammed Ahmed, the “mad Mahdi” of 19th century Khartoum (lot 615).

Lot 615

About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes.  Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holders of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offer an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.  Spink is headquartered in London and hold over 35 auctions a year around the globe.  In June 2006 Spink shattered the world record for a British Coin sold at auction with the sale of the Double Leopard Gold Coin for a staggering £460,000.

Spink Live

Launched on the 11th July 2006, Spink is pleased to offer our bespoke bidding service, Spink Live.   This enables you not only to bid real time but to leave an absentee bid in any of our forthcoming auctions; whilst online you can also see and hear the auctioneer through our remarkably user friendly and efficient software.

Since its launch, Spink Live has so far revolutionized the way in which people bid at auction. Spink is thrilled to offer this new platform for our clients so that they may enjoy adding to their collection from the comfort of their homes or anywhere else on the globe they may be.  It is believed to the only service of its kind in the world of collectables.

Public Enquiries:  020 7563 4000 – www.spink.com or info@spink.com

Images:  Spink Press Office on 020 7563 4009