Lot 2243

Description

Madras Presidency, in the name of Aurangzib 'Alamgir I (A.H.1068-1118, A.D. 1658-1707), silver rupee, impressed with the mint name Chinapatan and known as the 'Madras rupee', Regnal Year 39, (1691-1692), (Pr. 112, KM. -). Very fine with a very clear mint and date reading, the first year of issue and extremely rare.

This extremely rare coin was struck in the first year that these coins were issued by the E.I.C. at this mint for only a very short time. No examples of this date was present in the Pridmore or Pitchfork collections (N.N. Sale 48). The dies for this issue were received by the Company in April 1692 and coins were struck by September and continued in the name of various rulers until 1757. this coinage formed the bulk of the annual money supply to Bengal. No half or quarter rupees were issued.