2018-02-13 Tue

The coinage of Assam consists of quite alluring and interesting specimens for the collectors and numismatics. Originally, the coins were round, but in the 16th century, the shape of the coins was made octagonal, supposedly because the Yogini Tantra mentions that Kamarupa is eight-sided. The octagonal shape and the long series make these coins highly popular with collectors.

This octagonal gold Mohur weighing 11.21grams is of King Rajesvara Simha minted in 1685 Saka era. The obverse of the coin has a Persian legend ‘Zad Ain Sikka Chu Khursheed Wa Mah/ Sri Rajesar Singh Sultan-e-Alam Panah’ (Sri Rajesvara Simha, Sultan, refuge of the world, struck this coin truly like sun and moon). The reverse has lion facing right and inscription which read as ‘Zarb Rangpur Sanah 1685 Julus Mainamat Manus’. All within dotted border. This gold Mohur was sold for INR 20,00,000 by Classical Numismatic Gallery.

To know more about the coinage of Assam click here.