Coins Of India - Mughal Coins

Hi drnsreedhar,

Thank you so much for your great work that let us know about the history of and all other aspects about the Indian coins/rupees. Your systematic descriptions about the different monarchs of Mughal Empire intrigues me about the history of India too. That is what a genuine numismatist should do - let other people know about our history through sharing our private collections. Your work must be deeply honoured by your audience.

I also collect rupees but mainly modern or near modern rupees that from differet locations/countries/colonies. I have about 40 silver rupees from over 10 locations (past and present). There is an old silver rupee that I can't read about and want you to make a comment of the legend on the coin, drnsreedhar.

The following points that I want to clarify are :

Was it from Shah Alam II, reganl yr. 44 (1803-4)? Are the inscriptions in Persian type? Was the it an issue under the protectorate by France? I bought it a few years ago in a HK numismatic shop by HK$130.00 only. Weight of this coin is 11.28 grams.

Thanks for any comments. I hope the orientations of the coin are alright, otherwise, please correct me. Henry

Thank you drnsreedhar, you are really an expert, also a very knowledgeable and helpful person.

This was in circulation in the regions around Pondicherry,Machhlipatnam,Mahe and a few other places where they had holdings. They lost most of their territories in their war with the British.

This coin is a scarce one and brings a premium in higher conditions.

Persian was the script used in contemporary coins. Mughal coins, Sultanate coins of Delhi, Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmani, Kashmir, Khandesh, Bengal, Kalpi etc.were issued with similar script.Princely state coins that followed this period also had Persian script either completely or partially.

It is interesting to note that most Princely states continued to use this script until independence in 1947.

This was struck in the name of Muhammad shah, the Mughal (1718-1748.AD)from the Surat mint. The lower image is of the obverse. The regnal year 19 is there on the reverse. This is the nineteenth year of accession of Muhammad shah that is 1718+19=1737. Since the regnal year is based on Anne Hijera, it can fall in two A.D years, 1736 and 1737. Hijeri year of issue is there below the name of the ruler on the obverse.Accession date is 1131 AH. Hence 1131+19=1150. It can be 1149 or 1150 AH. The date on the coin is not clear enough to read, but it looks like 114x, the last numeral being off flan. But since there is 4 as its third digit, it is 1149 AH.(1736-1737.AD).So you are right about the AD date of the coin.

Nice historic piece - I have one of these too...