2017-08-29 Tue

After the death of Akbar of in the year 1605, his son Jahangir sat on the Mughal throne. But, his formal coronation took place after several months. After sitting on the Mughal throne he ordered no coins will be issued in his name till he is crowned at Delhi.

During the first year of his reign, he issued gold mohur with the portrait of Akbar. Silver coins were also issued by him with the name Prince Salim during the same period from Ahmedabad. Immediately after his coronation, he increases the weight of gold and silver coin by 20% which is slightly higher than the rupee standard; these coins were known as ‘Jahangiri’. Later he increased the coin further by 5% and brought it up to 25%. Such gold coin is known as ‘Sawai Mohur’ and silver coins are known as ‘Sawai Rupee’. But, later on, such heavier coins were discontinued as these coins were inconvenient for the transaction. And the older weight standard of the time of Akbar was restored.

This extremely rare gold ‘sawai mohur’ which weighs around 13.6g was sold at the whooping price of INR 50, 00,000 at Todywalla Auction. The obverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Shah Nur-ud-Din Jahangir ibn Akbar Badshah’ with Regnal year 4. And reverse of the coin inscribed as ‘Sikka zad dar Shahr Agra Khusru giti Panah with Hijri year 1017.