2016-10-05 Wed

This one Mohur Nazarana coin is unique and was issued during the reign of Maharaja Rajendra Singh.

Maharaja Rajendra ruled Jhalawad or jhalawar -“the land of Jalas” from 1929 to 1943. He belonged to the clan of Chauchan Rajput warriors. The city of Jhalawad once known as Brijnagar was founded by Jhala Zalim singh-I.

This coin was minted in 1940 and it belongs to the milled coinage. Minted as a portent or “shagun, the coin was issued to mark the matrimonial ties that took place between the Jhalawad and Jubbal princely states in 1940. Hence, it bears remarkable similarity in design to the coins of Jubbal.

The obverse features coat-of-arms of the state in the centre with devanagari legend is inscribed inscribed around it; which reads “Maharaja Rana Shri Rajendra Simha Ju Deo Bahadaur” and “Rajya Jhalawad” in exergue.

The reverse depicts a sun-like border of flames around a raised right hand depicted in the centre of the coins. Sanskrit inscription Shri Krishna Vishwanta Matarau Jayati (Victory to Shri Krishna and the Universal Mother) surrounds the sun and the hand. The symbol of the hand shows the royal symbol of the Jhala Rajputs, being placed appropriately in a circle of fire to indicate their descent from Agni, the fire God.

This specimen is choice mint state grade and was sold for an astonishing price of INR 150, 00,000 by classical numismatics gallery on 27th April 2014.