New catalog: Copper Coins of Muscat and Oman dated AH 1311–1316 (1893–1899 CE)

[Wolfgang Schuster]

New book: Copper Coins of Muscat and Oman dated AH 1311–1316 (1893–1899 CE)
By Scott E. Cordry
http://www.arabiancoins.com, New York 2021
Soft cover, 50 pages

Towards the end of the 19th century maritime trade between the major ports of the north-western Indian Ocean (Zanzibar, Aden, Muscat, Karachi and Bombay) greatly increased. Consequently, from 1893 to 1899, ¼ Anna copper coins of Muscat and Oman were minted and circulated around the north-western Indian Ocean as regional small change. During these few years, numerous ¼ Anna coins with a range of varieties of legends, decorative elements and die mulings as well as countermarks were struck. The book gives comprehensive information on these copper coins of Muscat and Oman bringing to light to all known varieties in a systematic presentation.
After a preface by the author reflecting his passion studying those issues, a detailed introduction follows, which focuses on the historical and geographical background, use and importance of this 'Indian Ocean trade currency'.
The series of Muscat and Oman ¼ Anna copper coins spans across three generations of Omani rulers of the Al Bu Sa'id dynasty: Sultan Faisal bin Turki, Sultan Taimur bin Faisal and Sultan Sa'id bin Taimur. Accordingly, all coins issued under the respective rulers are grouped and presented in separate chapters which open with a brief biography of the sultan, followed by a detailed chronological listing of all known coin dates and varieties with illustrationsin full color and at 150% enlargement.
As we only find some ¼ Anna copper coins rather superficially covered in standard coin catalogs, the nearly 80 coin varieties presented in the book are identified by unique SC-catalog numbers as reference for coin collectors, coin dealers and numismatists.
An appendix shows all listed coins with their SC-number and estimated retail prices in three conditions in US$.
This first fully illustrated work sheds light on a relatively complicated and complex series that so far has not been researched in depth. Having cataloged and described dozens of varieties, this new catalog is a valuable reference to anybody wishing to explore the varieties and history of ¼ Anna copper coins of Muscat and Oman.