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 Replies: 8 / Views: 9,399 |
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New Member
Ireland
12 Posts |
I would appreciate any help in identifying the two coins in the image posted here. The first is bronze, 16mm wide, weight 2.6 grams. It has an impressed, crowned "VR" on one side and is blank on the other. Not sure if this is even a coin, perhaps it is a coin weight? It may not even be Indian. The other is a square silver rupee. There was a hand written not with this piece when I bought it stating that it was struck during the reign of Shah Jahan (AH1037-1068) and another note to the effect that it is of such good workmanship that it must have been struck at a traveling Royal Mint, probably while the emperor was campaigning in a part of India remote from established mints, and produced for presentation purposes. It measures 22mm x 22mm, weight 10.2 grams. Much thanks for any insights.    |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
India
1995 Posts |
The square piece is not a coin. It is a so called "temple token". On the lower image, there is Kalima inside the diamond. Names of four Khalifas Abu Bakr, Umar,Usman and Ali are written on four corners. On the other image, the second line of the legend reads Muahammad Akbar Badshah, but this is not a coin of Akbar.  Edited by drnsreedhar
11/23/2011 1:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
India
1995 Posts |
Hi!10xloupe, you have sharply picked up the image. This image of the "mohur" also looks like a temple token struck imitating a coin issued from "urdu zafar qarin" mint. The execution is much cruder than an original coin.  I am posting scan (though not of good quality) of a coin from urdu zafar qarin mint below. Thanks  |
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Moderator
 Australia
16827 Posts |
The little copper piece isn't a coin, and looks too crude to be officially issued. A coin weight seems a likely explanation, but I can't find any Indian coins likely to be circulating during the reign of queen Victoria that weigh 2.6 grams. As for the "square rupee" temple token, I can only assume that either whoever wrote it was spinning a tall tale, or that the note actually belongs to a different coin and has gotten mixed up somehow. Square rupees of Shah Jahan are not common and tend to look more like this, never with the Kalima-in-diamond design. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
 Ireland
12 Posts |
Thank you to all who replied to my request for information. Now I know why I couldn't find the silver piece in any coin catalogues for the relevant period. Given the various input, can I take it that a correct description of the silver piece would be as follows:
An Indian silver Temple Token, imitating a square silver rupee of Akbar (reigned AH983-1014, 1556-1605A.D.) and bearing a stylised version of the Urdu Zafar Qarin mint signature. Obverse, 4 line inscription, the second line in reading MUHAMMAD AKBAR BADSHAH, and with stylised version of the Urdu Zafar Qarin mint signature. Reverse, Kalima within lozenge at centre, names of the four Khalifas in corners, Abu, Bakr, Umar and Usman.
Also, does this piece date from the reign of Akbar, or was it produced later?
As for the copper piece with the crown and VR stamp, if it is not Indian it is probably a British coin weight of some sort.
Any response helping to date the temple token would be much appreciated.
Regards
Pete
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Pillar of the Community
India
1995 Posts |
Dear petedcm, you have understood the silver square temple token right except the mint signature. The supposed mint signature on the pic that you posted is a corrupt legend that cannot be read to mean any mint name satisfactorily. The figure to which a link was provided by 10xloupe bears stylized "urdu zafar qarin" mint signature which is peculiar to Akbar's travelling Royal Mint. All the other things you understood about that picture is correct. These temple tokens seem to have been produced at a later period, but we cannot be sure about that. Thanks. |
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New Member
Ireland
12 Posts |
Dear DRNSReedhar
once again, many thanks for your input. I thin I now understand the piece. Very grateful for your assistance. My expertise is in the area of Irish coins and medals. If you ever need any help in this area, please feel free to contact me.
Regards
Pete
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Pillar of the Community
India
1995 Posts |
Thank you petedcm for your kind offer. If in need I will surely contact you. And if you require my help, I am happy only to do so. Thank you once again.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 9,399 |
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Posted 11/23/2011 1:51 pm
