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IDENTIFICATION OF A MUGHAL STYLED COIN |
Before 1835 all the British India coins of the three presidencies were issued
both from the Mughal mints and the E I C mints. Both these coins are in Mughal
style with Persian script. The Mughal emperors name, royal title, mint name,
Julus formula, Hejira era and two digit Regnal years are all in Persian script.
It is difficult for presidency coins collectors to identify these coins. By
following the below mentioned hints you will be able to easily identify a Mughal
style coin. The animated coin photo is a two rupees madras presidency coin. It
is an excellent example to show all the features of a typical Mughal style coin.
Click here to open the picture in a separate window and follow along the proper
way to identify the coin. The weight and diameter of the coin also help in
proper identification. Also note the Persian letters are drawn out. This makes
it look like the letters are dividing the coin into sections.
Step #1: Identify the weight and diameter of the coin. Usually smaller
denomination coins are lighter and smaller and vice versa.
Step #2: The coin has two sides. Obverse and reverse. The obverse side of the
coins is identified by the four digit Hejira year in the topmost segment of the
coin. The reverse side of the coin is identified by the two digit Regnal year or
Julus year and various mint marks that might be present in some coins.
Step #3: Identifying the details on the obverse side: The coin can be seen in 2
different ways. Either you can think there are 3 sections or 5 lines. Both ways
have been depicted in our checklist. I will explain the 5 line system here.
Please note the Persian script is to be read from right to left, Persian
numerical are read left to right.
Line # 1: AH year or Four digit
Hejira year (year of issue). This Hejira year means 'Flight', the flight of
Prophet Mohammad from Mecca in the AD 622, July 16th. The Islamic year is based
on a Lunar year which has 354 days unlike the Christian year which is based on
Solar year and has 365 and 1/4 days. 100 years of the Islamic year is equal to
97 years in Christian calendar. Hejira year is represented as AH year (Anno
Hejira). To convert the Hejira year to Christian year, subtract 3% from a given
AH year and add 622 to subtracted value, you have your Christian year. Example:
AH year 1172 = AD 1759 (3% of 1172 is 35.16, subtract 35 from 1172 = 1137 add
622 to 1137 you have 1759). The Persian numerical is to be read from left to
right.
Click here for the Persian number chart. In some cases the year has been written
in Persian script as a word instead of a number. Click here to see years written
in Persian words.
Line #2: It is the name of the
reigning emperor. Please click here to identify the proper emperor's name. There
are nine Mughal emperor's. The emperor's name is depicted both in Persian
and English scripts. Both these line constitute the top section of a coin in all
denominations. If the coins size is small, you will be able to see partial print
of the entire script. What you see varies from coin to coin.
Line #3 ,4 & 5: This
constitutes the middle section & lower sections: It usually contains the Emperors title or couplet praising him in
Persian script. Again a chart is given below showing these royal titles or
couplets in Persian script along with same in
English translation.
Step#4:Identifying the details on the reverse side: Again the coin can be seen in 2
different ways. Either you can think there are 3 sections or 5 lines. Both ways
have been depicted in our checklist. I will explain the 5 line system here. You
need to start from line # 5. There are only 2 varieties: Julus formula and
abbreviated Julus formula.
Line #5: Mint name. Click
here for a detailed list of all the Madras presidency mints.
Line # 4: The word Zarb
represented by the hook like letter (present on the right hand side) and long
line which divides the 2nd and 3rd section. This word means Struck at mint ___.
These two line form the bottom section of the reverse side of the coin.
Line # 3: This line
represents the year of a emperors reign. The word Zarb is the 3rd line which
means in the year (_ _) of his reign. There are usually 2 to 3 symbols on top of
the 3rd line, the Regnal Year (Julus) & mint mark. The regnal year is usually
two numericals in Persian script, which indicates year of the emperors rule.
Note: In some coins numeral '1' is written as 'Ahd' instead of '1'. These are
read left to right like English. The mint marks are either an open lotus, closed
lotus or a rose indicating various mints. Click here to know more about the mint
marks. This line constitutes the middle section of the coin.
Line # 2 & 1: These
constitutes the top of the coin. The second line is 'Maimanat' and the 1st line
is 'Manus'. Both these words mean 'of his reign of tranquil prosperity.
In the abbreviated Julus formula the top two lines are missing. |
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