# Akçe

> silver coin, chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire

**Wikidata**: [Q424754](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q424754)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akçe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/akce

## Summary
The Akçe (also known as Akça) was a silver coin that served as the chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire. As a primary medium of exchange, it functioned within a multiethnic empire ruled by the Ottoman dynasty from its inception in the late 13th century until 1922. This currency was historically linked to the Mangır, an Ottoman copper coin, and was utilized across various regions including those associated with the Jabrids dynasty.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: The Akçe is defined as a silver coin and the chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire.
- **Aliases**: The entity is also known by the name "Akça".
- **Primary Location/Origin**: It originated and was utilized within the Ottoman Empire, a multiethnic state ruled by the Ottoman dynasty.
- **Empire Timeline**: The Ottoman Empire, the context for this currency, had an inception date of +1299-07-29T00:00:00Z or +1300-00-00T00:00:00Z and existed until 1922.
- **Parent Currency Relationship**: The Akçe is part of a monetary system that includes the Mangır, which is identified as an Ottoman copper coin.
- **Geographic Scope**: The currency's influence extended to regions associated with the Jabrids dynasty, which had an inception in +1417-00-00T00:00:00Z and covered territories including , , , , , , , and .
- **Digital Presence**: The entity has a Wikipedia title of "Akçe" and a Wikidata description explicitly stating it is a silver coin and chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire.
- **Link Statistics**: The entity is associated with 47 sitelinks on Wikipedia, 166 sitelinks for the general "currency" class, 209 sitelinks for the "Ottoman Empire," 9 sitelinks for the "Jabrids," and 6 sitelinks for the "Mangır."

## FAQs
**What was the primary function of the Akçe within the Ottoman Empire?**
The Akçe served as the chief monetary unit and a generally accepted medium of exchange for goods and services throughout the empire. It was a silver coin that facilitated trade and economic transactions across the multiethnic territories ruled by the Ottoman dynasty.

**How does the Akçe relate to other coins in the Ottoman monetary system?**
The Akçe was part of a broader currency structure that included the Mangır, which was specifically an Ottoman copper coin. While the Akçe was the primary silver unit, the Mangır functioned as a related component within the same imperial financial framework.

**Which historical dynasties and regions were connected to the circulation of this coin?**
The coin was central to the Ottoman Empire, which was founded around 1299 or 1300, but its economic reach also intersected with the Jabrids dynasty. The Jabrids, established in 1417, controlled various territories (, , , , , , , ) where such monetary systems were relevant.

**What is the modern digital footprint of the Akçe in knowledge databases?**
The Akçe is well-documented in digital archives, holding 47 Wikipedia sitelinks and a specific Wikidata entry describing its role as a silver coin. It is also categorized under the broader "currency" class, which encompasses 166 related sitelinks, highlighting its significance in historical economic studies.

## Why It Matters
The Akçe matters because it represents the foundational economic engine of the Ottoman Empire, one of history's most enduring and expansive multiethnic states. As the chief monetary unit, it standardized trade and value across diverse regions, enabling the complex administrative and commercial operations of a dynasty that ruled for over six centuries. Its existence provides critical insight into the economic history of the region, linking the imperial center to peripheral dynasties like the Jabrids and illustrating the integration of silver and copper coinage systems. Understanding the Akçe allows historians and economists to trace the flow of wealth, the stability of the Ottoman state, and the monetary policies that sustained a global power from the late 13th century through the early 20th century.

## Notable For
- **Primary Status**: It held the distinction of being the chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire, distinguishing it from subsidiary coins like the Mangır.
- **Material Composition**: Unlike the copper Mangır, the Akçe was specifically a silver coin, marking it as a higher-value standard of exchange.
- **Longevity**: It functioned as a core economic instrument throughout the entire lifespan of the Ottoman Empire, from its inception in 1299/1300 to its end in 1922.
- **Cross-Dynastic Relevance**: Its usage and economic context extended beyond the Ottoman core to include territories associated with the Jabrids dynasty, established in 1417.
- **High Digital Recognition**: With 47 Wikipedia sitelinks and 209 connections to the Ottoman Empire, it is one of the most documented specific entities within the empire's economic history.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The Akçe, also referred to by the alias Akça, is historically classified as a silver coin. It served as the chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire, functioning as the primary standard for value and exchange. In the broader context of economic history, it falls under the general class of "currency," defined as a generally accepted medium of exchange for goods or services. This classification is supported by 166 related sitelinks in knowledge databases, indicating its widespread recognition as a fundamental financial instrument.

### Historical Context and Origins
The currency emerged within the framework of the Ottoman Empire, a multiethnic state ruled by monarchs from the Ottoman dynasty. The empire itself was established with an inception date recorded as either +1299-07-29T00:00:00Z or +1300-00-00T00:00:00Z, and it persisted until 1922. The Akçe was the financial backbone of this entity, which is associated with 209 sitelinks in digital archives. The coin's utility was not limited to the immediate Ottoman borders but extended into regions influenced by other dynasties, such as the Jabrids. The Jabrids dynasty, which began in +1417-00-00T00:00:00Z, controlled a vast array of territories identified by the codes , , , , , , , and , where the Akçe likely played a role in regional commerce.

### Monetary System and Relationships
Within the Ottoman financial ecosystem, the Akçe did not exist in isolation but was part of a structured hierarchy of coinage. It is directly related to the Mangır, which is identified as an Ottoman copper coin. This relationship highlights a bimetallic or multi-metallic system where the silver Akçe served as the primary unit while the copper Mangır likely facilitated smaller, everyday transactions. The Mangır itself is a distinct entity with 6 sitelinks, confirming its specific role as a subsidiary currency. The connection between these two coins illustrates the complexity of the empire's monetary policy, balancing high-value silver with lower-value copper to manage economic flow across different social strata.

### Digital Documentation and Reach
The legacy of the Akçe is preserved extensively in modern knowledge bases. It holds a dedicated Wikipedia page titled "Akçe" and a Wikidata entry that explicitly describes it as a "silver coin, chief monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire." The entity's digital footprint is significant, with 47 sitelinks on Wikipedia alone, reflecting its importance to historians and researchers. Furthermore, its association with the broader "currency" category (166 sitelinks) and the "Ottoman Empire" (209 sitelinks) underscores its centrality in understanding the economic history of the region. The Jabrids connection also contributes to its digital profile, with 9 sitelinks linking the dynasty to the broader historical context in which the coin circulated.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/akce)
3. GF WordNet
4. [Source](http://www.oed.com/dictionary/asper_n2)