Lot 2569

Description

Kashmir, Gulab Singh (VS. 1903-1913, A.D. 1846-1856), Srinagar mint, rupee, first silver series, VS 1903 (1846), with leaf and date on obverse, second silver series, `Kham' rupee, with JHS on obverse, VS 1907 (1850), 1908 (1851), 1911 (1854), (KM.5, 13). Very fine or better, the first dark tone and scarce. (4)

Ex Wodak Collection (except for VS1907). The letters JHS on most of the above and all the following lots have two known explanations. One is that Lord Lawrence when at the court of Gulab Singh was asked by the ruler to what the success and prosperity of England was due, replied that it was due to being a Christian nation. The Maharajah asked for a symbol of Christianity whereupon Lord Lawrence wrote the letters J H S (Jesus Hominum Salvator). General Pearse provides another explanation in that a famous Brahmin named Anund, was converted to christianity. His son Anund Messiah was also an active christian and when at the court of Gulab Singh induced him to place these letters on his coins whereby pleasing the British Indian Government and also he himself be favoured by fortune. Both accounts may well be true.