1856, Ottoman Empire, Abdul Mejid. Copper 40 Para Coin.
References: KM-370. Denominations: 40 Para Mint Dates: 1858 (1255AH + Year 19) Mint Place: Qustantiniya (Constantinople, today´s Istanbul) Diameter: 36.8mm Material: Copper Weight: 21.5gm
Obverse: Tughra (State Seal) of the Sultan above regnal year (19). Rose in right field.
Reverse: Value (40), surrounded by script legends including mint name (Qustantiniya) and accession year (1255).
Abdülmecid I, Abdul Mejid I, Abd-ul-Mejid I or Abd Al-Majid I Ghazi (23/25 April 1823 – 25 June 1861) was the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and succeeded his father Mahmud II on July 2, 1839. His reign was notable for the rise of nationalist movements within the empire’s territories. Abdülmecid wanted to encourage Ottomanism among the secessionist subject nations and stop the rise of nationalist movements within the empire, but failed to succeed despite trying to integrate non-Muslims and non-Turks more thoroughly into the Ottoman society with new laws and reforms. He tried to forge alliances with the major powers of Western Europe, namely the United Kingdom and France, who fought alongside the Ottoman Empire at the Crimean War against Russia. In the following Congress of Paris on 30 March 1856, the Ottoman Empire was officially included among the European family of nations. Abdülmecid’s biggest achievement was the announcement and application of the Tanzimat (Reorganization) reforms which were prepared by his father Mahmud II and effectively started the modernization of Turkey in 1839.