Podcasts · The Ottoman Empire: How It Ruled Three Continents for 600 Years — Fexingo History
Ottoman Currency and the Global Gold Rush
· 7:42 · S5 E237
Episode Ottoman Currency and the Global Gold Rush
We often think of empires in terms of armies or laws, but the real engine of imperial power is currency. In this episode, we explore how the Ottoman Empire maintained economic stability across three continents through its legendary gold coin, the altın, and later the kuruş. We trace the journey from Mehmed II’s conquest of Constantinople to the inflation crises of the seventeenth century, examining how the empire integrated with global trade networks. You will hear about the role of the Genoese bankers in Galata, the debasement policies under Sultan Ahmed I, and the complex web of exchange rates that connected Istanbul to London and Amsterdam. This story reveals how financial decisions made in Topkapı Palace rippled through markets in Venice and Baghdad, shaping the daily lives of merchants, soldiers, and peasants alike.
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Transcript
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