2019-09-18 Wed

The last coins of the State of Hyderabad were issued in the year 1947-48 before India achieved independence and before Hyderabad joined the Indian Union.

Hyderabad State was the largest Indian Princely State and the last remnant of Mughal suzerainty in South or Central India. It traced its foundation to Nizam-ul Mulk, the Mughal viceroy in the Deccan. Hyderabad was the premier Princely State in British India and was not absorbed into the Indian Union until 1948.

The Ruler of Hyderabad was known as the Nizam. Mir Usman Ali Khan was the last Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad and Berar. He ruled between 1911 and 1948 until it was merged with the Indian Union. During his life, Usman Ali Khan issued a number of coins in Gold (Ashrafi), Silver (Rupiya), Pie (Copper) and Anna (Nickel). The above coin is the 1/8 Gold Ashrafi. It was minted in 1367 AH (1947/48 AD) which was the last ruling year of the Nizam.

The obverse of the coin bears Char Minar in the center with ‘Ain’ in the doorway (Persian alphabet for ‘U’, the initial of Usman) and Persian legend 92 Asaf Jah on top, Bahadur in left, Nizamul Mulk on right, and Sanah 1337 at the bottom. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with Persian legend ‘Yak Ashrafi’ in the centre circle and ‘Sanah 8 Julus Mainamat Manus Zarb Farkhandah Bunyad Hyderabad’ around the circle.

This Ain type Gold Ashrafi was sold for INR 1,20,000 by Classical Numismatic Gallery.

Image Courtesy: https://www.todywallaauctions.com