Brief Tunisian History
Tunisia has a long and rich history. Founded by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago, in ancient times it was famous for its important city of Carthage, which was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. The Romans had destroyed Carthage because of its ability to recover and survive, it was therefore ironic that after Carthage had been rebuilt under the Romans, it continued to flourish after the Roman Empire declined.
It was briefly overrun by the Vandals from 459 to 533, and then by the Arabs in 648 until the Turkish invasion of 1570. Under the Turks, its main revenue came from piracy until 1819, when an international coalition threatened reprisals, after which its economy declined, and it eventually went bankrupt, leading to it becoming a French protectorate in 1881. By 1955, Tunisian nationalism had grown, and obliged the French to grant internal autonomy, and full independence followed the next year. In 1957, Tunisia abolished its monarch and became a republic.
Tunisian Gold Coins In ancient times, the coins of Carthage belonged to the Greek coin series, later Roman. In more recent times, Tunisian coins were denominated in sultani and half sultani, later in piastres, changing to francs under the French. From the beginning of the Republic, they are denominated in dinars.
Specifications
Technical specifications of the most frequently encountered Tunisian gold coins.
| Denomination | Diameter | Weight | Alloy | AGW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
100 Francs
|
21.25 | 6.5500 | .900 | 0.1895 |
|
20 Francs
|
21.15 | 6.4516 | .900 | 0.1867 |
|
10 Francs
|
18.80 | 3.2258 | .900 | 0.0933 |
|
75 Dinars
|
26 | 15.5500 | .900 | 0.4500 |
Key
Denomination = Face value
Diameter = Approximate Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Alloy = Fineness of gold.
AGW = Actual fine gold weight in troy ounces.
Prices & Availability
Please contact us prior to ordering for current prices and availability.
| Date | Hejira Date | Denomination | Description | Grade | Mintage | Availability | Price £ | Price $ |
| 1891 A | 1308 | 10 Francs | Ali Bey | VF | 400,000 | Yes | £80 | $110 |
| 1892 A | 1309 | 20 Francs | Ali Bey | EF | 937,000 | Yes | £155 | $210 |
| 1897 A | 1315 | 20 Francs | Ali Bey | EF | 164,000 | Sold | £55 | $85 |
| 1898 A | 1316 | 20 Francs | Ali Bey | about EF | 150,000 | Sold | £55 | $102 |
| 1901 A | 1319 | 20 Francs | Ali Bey | EF | 150,000 | Yes | £155 | $210 |
| 1903 A | 1321 | 20 Francs | Muhamad Al-Hadi Bey | EF | 300,000 | Yes | £155 | $210 |
| 1904 A | 1322 | 20 Francs | Muhamad Al-Hadi Bey | Unc | 600,000 | Yes | £165 | $210 |
| 1904 A | 1322 | 20 Francs | Muhamad Al-Hadi Bey | EF | 600,000 | Yes | £155 | $210 |
| 1935 | 1354 | 100 Francs | Ahmad Pasha Bey | about EF | 3,000 | Yes | £160 | $285 |
| 1935 | 1354 | 100 Francs | Ahmad Pasha Bey | EF | 3,000 | Yes | £160 | $255 |
| 1982 | 1402/3 | 75 Dinars | Habib Bourguiba UNICEF Year of the Child |
Proof, about FDC | 4,518 | Ask | £Ask | $Ask |
Notes A = Paris Mint
Please check our Standard Terms for Bullion Coins
.
You may wish to use our Order Form UK
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.
Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order
Tunisian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Tunisia, please look at our original Chard Coins
website.
Obverse of 1892 Tunisian 20 Francs
Reverse of 1892 Tunisian 20 Francs
Obverse of 1904 Tunisian 20 Francs
Reverse of 1904 Tunisian 20 Francs
Obverse of 1935 Tunisian 100 Francs of Ahmad Pasha Bey
Reverse of 1935 Tunisian 100 Francs of Ahmad Pasha Bey
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