Metallik Public Deposited
The name given to a variety of low grade silver Turkish coins, which constituted a large part of the ordinary circulation, chiefly in Asia Minor.
The largest of these Metalliks when composed of fifty-two parts of silver and forty-eight of copper, is known as the Altilik, and has a value of five Piastres. When, however, the same sized coin contains only twenty-five percent of silver, it is known as the Beshlik, and is only equal to two and one half Piastres. As the smaller Metalliks are in the same ratio, the greatest confusion formerly prevailed, which, however, was remedied in 1911 upon the introduction of the nickel coinage.
- Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)