Turkey, 5 Piastres, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This lithograph "Turkey, 5 Piastres" was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of the "Coins of All Nations" series of cigarette cards. Visually, the card is divided into distinct zones. The upper portion features a woman's head draped in patterned fabric, while the lower section displays a Turkish coin. The composition invites an immediate comparison between the female figure and the currency, drawing attention to the cultural and economic values being circulated. This juxtaposition prompts questions about how such imagery operates within a broader semiotic system. The woman’s image, possibly exoticized, becomes a signifier linked to the coin’s value and the country it represents. The visual structure of the card thus serves as a cultural text, encoding ideas about nationhood, femininity, and commerce. The card's formal arrangement challenges us to consider how images mediate our understanding of value and cultural identity, reflecting the mutable nature of meaning within a changing society.