Lot 2059

Description

Bombay Presidency, Indian Design, Bombay Minting, fifth rupee struck under Muhammad Shah (A.H.1131-1161, A.D. 1719-1748), regnal year 2 (3?), another 5, another 9, (Pr. 60, 61, 62, KM. (SAC) P.60, KM. 271). Very fine and scarce. (3)

Ex Spink Australia, Sale 8, (lot 46 [part]) and Colin E. Pitchfork Collection, Noble Numismatics Sale 48 (lot 2063). The issue of fifth rupees was continued in the name of Shah Jahan II, through the reigns of Muhammad Shah and Alamgir II. The designs were not changed, but the coin appears not to have circulated in Bombay. However Elliot in "Coins of Southern India" London, 1886 on discussing the velli (or silver) fanam that circulated on the Malabar Coast states: "..was originally coined tentatively in Bombay in 1730 (sic!). It was issued to the value of a 1/5th rupee, as an experiment, when finding that it was readily accepted by the people of Tellicherri and other towns, a new supply was ordered. These old velli fanams had generally the numeral 5 in English ..on one side". These the first type issues, were struck from 1719-1730 at Bombay, and were evidently introduced for the use of the Company's factory at Tellicherry, where they circulated as fanams. See Pridmore pages 114-5 for more detailed discussion.