2018-10-16 Tue

Arcot was a Princely State during the British Raj. It is situated on the east coast of India between Madras and Calcutta. Umdat-ul-Umara was a Nawab of Arcot from 1795 to 1801 AD.

The Nawabs of Arcot issued many coins in copper and a few in gold and silver. The earliest coins were issued in the name of the Mughal emperor. Later, they issued coins in their own name.

Coins of Umdat-ul-Umara were issued in the denomination of Rupee, Paisa, and Cash from Arka, Nahtarnagar, and Tinnevelly mints. One of his silver Rupee depicted above was issued in the name of Shah Alam II from Arkat mint.

The obverse of a coin showed the Persian legend ‘Sikka Mubarak Saya Fazl Ilah Hami Din Shah Alam’. While reverse of a coin depicted ‘Sanah 4 Zarb Arkat Julus Mainamat Manus’.

Image Source: Classical Numismatic Gallery