Lot 2192

Description

Bijapur, Adilshahi kingdom, Muhammad Adil (A.H. 1037-1068, A.D. 1627-1657), gold pagoda, (3.372 grams), with Persian inscriptions both sides forming a rhymed couplet, (G&G BJ20, Rajgor 657, Spink-Taisai sale No.9 lot 316 [realised $1300 US]). Very fine and very rare.

This is the only Islamic gold coin struck by any of the successor states to the Bahmani kingdom of Kulbarga. It was struck to the pagoda standard of the Karnataka. Ismail had five examples having an averaage weight of 3.37 grams. The legends read 'The World has gained ornament and glory from these two Muhammads, One Muhammad the Prophet; two Muhammad the Shah'. This coin type was briefly described in 1912 by Taylor and more adequately by Ismail in 1925. Subsequently the Spink-Taisai example was illustrated, other examples hand turned up in the last few years.