Lot 1895

Description

Jahangir, (A.H. 1014-1037, A.D.1605-1628), 18-19th century copy of a Zodical round Gold mohur, (11.08 grams), Libra, of the Agra mint type, issued A.H. [10]28 (A.D. 1618-9), Regnal Year 13, obv. scales and weights with solar rays around beam, rev. Persian legend, also Regnal Year and part hijri date, all within dotted circles, (cf.BMC 343, cf.KM. SAC 180.13). Good very fine.

From 1028-1033 (RY 13-19), Jahangir struck an extensive series of zodiacal mohurs. He took a personal interest in his coinage and ordered the production of these zodiac pieces in his 13th year. The traveller Tavernier reports that under Jahangir successor, all these coins were recalled and melted down. Nonetheless, the coins were much loved by the people who would pay as much as twenty times the bullion value for them. Consequently the coins are all rare, the gold particularly, and unfortunately has been imitated over the next few centuries to supply collectors. The issue of Regnal Year 13 commenced with the twelth month issue of Pisces and a Libra issue for year 13 is unknown and this would be earlier than what is believed the earliest date.