Fragment of an Ottoman forged gold coin found near the train station Louny předměstí. Notes to forging activities focused on the Ottoman gold sultani during the Thirty Years War

Abstract

In 2016, one half of a copper gilded coin was found single near the train station Louny předměstí (Louny district). Its prototype corresponds with an Ottoman gold denomination sultani struck under the Sultan Suleyman I (AH 926–974/AD 1520–1566). The name of the ruler and his father were identified, but the enthronization date and the mint-name are located out of the preserved area. The ED XRF analysis confirmed solid copper basis and process of gilding in fire. With high probability, the fake is connected with serious need of gold during the Thirty Years War (and the period closely after that), and it is very likely of the local (Central European) provenance. Bohemian, Moravian and Hungarian contexts of forging activities during the Thirty Years War are analyzed, relevant archaeological and numismatic evidence is summarized.