Currencies/Iraqi altin
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Introduction
The Iraqi Altin (Arabic: ألطن) was a gold coin used in Ottoman Iraq from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Derived from the Ottoman altın meaning “gold,” it served as one of the highest-value denominations in the region’s currency system and was widely used in trade, taxation, and official payments.
History
The Altin was introduced in Iraq after the Ottoman conquest of Mesopotamia under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the early 1500s. As part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq adopted the imperial currency system, which included the akçe, para, and altin.
The Iraqi Altin circulated mainly in Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul and was used for high-value transactions and government payments. Over time, inflation and currency reform reduced its everyday use, and by the late 19th century, it was replaced by newer denominations such as the piastre and lira.
Coins
Altin coins circulating in Iraq were typically minted in gold of high purity, similar to those used elsewhere in the Ottoman Empire. Their consistent weight and composition made them suitable for trade across imperial and regional markets. Many issues featured inscriptions in Arabic-Turkish script identifying the reigning Ottoman sultan and the year of minting, while others were local strikes adapted for regional exchange. These coins were widely accepted throughout Ottoman Iraq and neighboring provinces, facilitating commerce and tribute across the Persian Gulf and Levant trade routes.
Currency
Within the Ottoman monetary system used in Iraq
1 Altin = 100 Para = 3.33 Kuruş
The Altin functioned as a major gold denomination and was often used as a reference standard for smaller units like the akçe and para. Its stability and gold content made it the preferred choice for wealth storage and large-scale payments.
Legacy
The Iraqi Altin reflects the economic and political integration of Ottoman Iraq into the wider imperial economy. It symbolized both regional prosperity and imperial authority, maintaining a central role in commerce and governance for over three centuries. Though replaced by newer coins, its legacy endures as one of the most significant gold issues of the Ottoman period in Iraq.