North East Indian Coins from the Nick Rhodes Collection

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£25

THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1) R 218 THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION: COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1)

R R

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© Copyright 2013

24 SEPTEMBER 2013

STAMPS COINS BANKNOTES MEDALS BONDS & SHARES AUTOGRAPHS BOOKS WINES

24 SEPTEMBER 2013

LONDON

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GROUP CHAIRMAN AND CEO Olivier D. Stocker YOUR SPECIALISTS STAMPS UK - Tim Hirsch Guy Croton David Parsons Nick Startup Neill Granger Paul Mathews Dominic Savastano Tom Smith USA - George Eveleth Richard Debney EUROPE - Guido Craveri Fernando Martínez CHINA - Anna Lee COINS UK - Mike Veissid Paul Dawson Richard Bishop William MacKay Eleanor Charlotte Dix Tim Robson Barbara Mears John Pett USA - Stephen Goldsmith Greg Cole Normand Pepin CHINA - Mark Li BANKNOTES, BONDS & SHARES UK - Barnaby Faull Mike Veissid Andrew Pattison USA - Stephen Goldsmith CHINA - Mark Li ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS & MILITARIA UK - Mark Quayle Oliver Pepys BOOKS UK - Philip Skingley Jennifer Mulholland AUTOGRAPHS USA - Stephen Goldsmith WINES CHINA - Anna Lee Guillaume Willk-Fabia YOUR EUROPE TEAM (LONDON - LUGANO) Chairman’s Office Monica Kruber Charles Blane

SALE CALENDAR 2013 STAMPS 15/16 August 10 September 21 September 22 September 22 October 23 October 23 October 24 October 13 November 14 November 14 November 15 November 11 December

The Collector’s Series Sale British East Africa and Uganda - The Award Winning Collections of George T. Krieger Stamps and Covers of South East Asia The Japanese Occupation Issues of South East Asia Bermuda - Dr. the Hon. David J. Saul Collection The Award Winning “Medina” Collection of India Part III Important British Empire Revenues The J. B. Bloom Collection of South Africa The Collector’s Series Sale The Robert Marion Collection of Mauritius Stamps and Postal History The “Lionheart” Collection of Great Britain and British Empire - Part II Postal History and Historical Documents Great Britain Stamps and Postal History

New York London Singapore Singapore London London London London London London London London London

144 13040 13030 13038 13045 13028 13041 13046 13043 13048 13049 13050 13044

Tibetan Coins from the Nick Rhodes Collection North East Indian Coins from the Nick Rhodes Collection Indian, Islamic, British and Anglo-Gallic Coins and Commemorative Medals World Coins and Commemorative Medals The Collector’s Series Sale Ancient, British & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals

Hong Kong London London London New York London

13020 13019 13014 13039 317 13015

World Banknotes The Ibrahim Salem Collection of African Banknotes Banknotes of Bermuda - Dr. the Hon. David J. Saul Collection The Collector’s Series Sale World Banknotes

London London London New York London

13018 13037 13047 317 13034

Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria

London London

13002 13003

The Collector’s Series Sale Bonds and Share Certificates of the World Bonds and Share Certificates of the World

New York Lugano London

317 SW1008 13017

The Collector’s Series Sale

New York

317

An Evening of Exceptional Wines

Singapore

SFW03

COINS 21 August 24 September 24/25 September 1 October 9/10 October 3 December

BANKNOTES 2/3 October 4 October 4 October 9/10 October 5 December

Directors Tim Hirsch Anthony Spink Auction & Client Management Team Miroslava Adusei-Poku Eleanor Ball Luca Borgo Rita Ariete Dora Szigeti John Winchcombe Harry Gladwin María Martínez Maurizio Schenini Finance Alison Bennet Marco Fiori Mina Bhagat Dennis Muriu Billy Tumelty Dean Dowdall IT & Administration Berdia Qamarauli Liz Cones Curlene Spencer Tom Robinson Cristina Dugoni Giacomo Canzi

MEDALS 25 July 21 November

BONDS AND SHARES 9/10 October 19/20 October 28 November

YOUR AMERICA TEAM (NEW YORK) Chairman Emeritus John Herzog Auction Administration and Marketing & Design Sonia Alves Luke Mitchell Finance & Administration Sam Qureshi Ingrid Qureshi Auctioneer Stephen Goldsmith

AUTOGRAPHS 9/10 October

WINES 20 September

The above sale dates are subject to change

YOUR ASIA TEAM (HONG KONG - SINGAPORE) Vice Chairman Anna Lee Administration Amy Yung Newton Tsang Raymond Tat Gary Tan

Spink offers the following services: – VALUATIONS FOR INSURANCE AND PROBATE FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OR WHOLE COLLECTIONS – – SALES ON A COMMISSION BASIS EITHER OF INDIVIDUAL PIECES OR WHOLE COLLECTIONS –

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THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1) 24 September 2013 in London and on and/or

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the niChoLaS rhodeS CoLLeCtion - CoinS of north eaSt india

NICHOLAS RHODES (1946-2011) Nicholas Rhodes was brought up in London. He started to collect coins from an early age and as a seven year old was first taken to AH Baldwin & Sons, receiving excellent guidance from the late Albert Baldwin.

Nicholas was a scholar at Westminster School, where he co-authored his first numismatic publication on the Anglo-Saxon Coins in the school collection. In 1962, Nicholas started collecting oriental coins, particularly the coins of Nepal, which at this time presented the opportunity to build a meaningful collection and provided a fertile field for original research. On leaving school, he travelled overland to Nepal where he found a numismatist’s paradise of Nepalese and Tibetan coins. Over the years he made many return journeys to India, Nepal and Bhutan, where he had a large number of friends and contacts.

After a Mathematics degree from Trinity College Cambridge, Nicholas qualified as an actuary and continued in this capacity for the rest of his professional career, working for an international (re)insurance company. During this time he was successfully able to balance working life with his passion for the collection and study of coins, banknotes, books, stamps and postal history. His specialist interests embraced the currency of the whole Himalayan region from Kashmir to Ladakh in the west, through Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, to Assam and the Hindu states of north-east India. He also collected Chinese coins and in recent years developed an interest in the coinage of Acheh and Murshidabad.

Nicholas wrote and lectured extensively on his numismatic interests, publishing in excess of 200 articles and co-authoring eight books. His book, “The Coinage of Nepal”, written in collaboration with the late Karl Gabrisch and the late Carlo Valdettaro, is the standard reference work for the series. In recent years he collaborated with SK Bose on a series of books on the coinage of the north-east Indian states. He retired at the age of 56 in order to focus on his academic interests, dividing his time principally between London and Kolkata.

John Rhodes

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September 24, 2013 - London

Order of Sale TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2013 Commencing at 10.00 a.m Lots PROTOTyPe COINS OF THe SuLTANS OF BeNGAL

1-

4

TRIPuRA

5 - 161

COOCH BeHAR

162 - 239

KACHAR

240 - 254

MANIPuR

255 - 262

JAINTIAPuR

263 - 286

AHOM KINGDOM OF ASSAM

287 - 458

THe INDIAN SuLTANATeS

459 - 477

CHITTAGONG ReGION

478 - 481

NAWABS OF BeNGAL

482

MuGHAL eMPIRe

483 - 493

GARHWAL

494 - 521

KANGRA AND KuMAON

522 - 528

LADAKH

529 - 539

SIKKIM AND SIRMuR

540 - 543

MISCeLLANeOuS

544 - 547 END OF SALE

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THE COINAGE OF NORTH EAST INDIA Based on an article by Nicholas Rhodes The culture of the north-eastern states of India is very distinct from that of the rest of India. The coinages of these states reflect these differences, although from the 15th century they can be linked to the spread of Brahmanical religion from the Ganga valley. With few exceptions, the general pattern was that one or more Brahmins would arrive at the court of a powerful tribal ruler and would convince him of the superior culture he represented and of the power of the Hindu deities. The Brahmin would present him with a complete genealogy, outlining his purported destiny as an important Hindu ruler and detailing his descent from the solar or the lunar race. In order to smooth the conversion from tribal religions to the new order, the Brahmins sometimes explained how certain important tribal deities could be identified as Hindu deities. The familiar tribal iconography could thus be seamlessly retained and merely translated into the Hindu context by means of the Sanskrit language.

As part of the ceremonies associated with the new Hinduised state, expensive rituals would be performed, and naturally the Brahmins would benefit from offerings and donations. While these donations were initially in fixed assets, such as land, the Brahmins later realised that it would be in their interests if they could also receive portable assets, such as precious metals, and for this reason they encouraged the striking of coins. On the occasion of important ceremonies, such as the installation of a new king, the Brahmins dictated that silver and gold coins ought to be struck in the name of the new ruler with appropriate religious invocations celebrating the date of the event. Such coinage could also be to the advantage of the state in oiling the wheels of trade and the provision of services from outside. It should be appreciated that, although most of the coins were made of silver, there were no silver mines anywhere in north-eastern India, so all the silver had to be imported from other countries. Interpreted in the light of this process, the coins can give us valuable historical information not available from other sources.

Two earlier coinages should be mentioned before describing those of the Hinduised states. After the death of Sasanka, the powerful ruler of Bengal, circa AD 630, two rulers were generally accepted as being dominant in northern India, Harsha Vardhana in Bihar and western Bengal, and Bhaskaravarman in all territories further east. The first king of the North-east to have his name placed on coins was the great king of Kamarupa, Bhaskaravarman (c. 600-50), colloquially known as Sri Kumara, whose name appears on certain gold coins of Samatata. Situated in the south-eastern region of Bengal, the state of Samatata, consisting of Comilla district and southern Tripura, had grown rich on trade. We have little evidence to suggest that Sri Kumara physically controlled the territory of Samatata from his capital near modern Guwahati apart from the coins issued in the name of Bhaskaravarman and Sri Kumara, which served to formally acknowledge his suzerainty and to forestall the risk of invasion. This coinage is not represented in the present auction, although here have been numerous finds in the Comilla area and in south Tripura.

The first coinage to circulate in the Assam valley was cast round copper alloy pieces with a single Brahmi letter on one side and no other design. Such pieces were produced during the Salasthamba Dynasty of Kamarupa, between about AD 830 to 900. The motive behind these coins was probably trade. At that time, cowrie shells played a useful role in providing a common circulation medium in the local markets, but the cowrie shells were in great demand in the Nan Zhao kingdom, located in what is now the yunnan province of south-western China. To ensure that the loss of cowrie shells by trade to the east did not disrupt the local markets it was decided that a local base metal coinage could replace the cowrie shell as a convenient local currency. The coins only played a temporary role, and once the export of shells to the east ceased, there was no need for the copper coins, and the markets reverted to using cowrie shells. Four coins of this series are included in this auction (lots 287 – 290).

From the ninth century until the fifteenth century no coins were struck in the North east. Most of this region consisted of tribal areas that relied on barter trade, and society was only monetised to the extent of the cowrie shells and a memory of monetary units in Kamarupa that provided a measure of value in certain copper plate legal documents.

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September 24, 2013 - London

SULTANS OF BENGAL – PROTOTYPE COINS The numismatic profile of the North east underwent a gradual transformation following the inception of Sultanate rule in Bengal in the 13th century. We start this auction with a few examples of the type of Sultanate coins that inspired those of Tripura. When one sees the Tankas of Jalal al-Din Muhammad, the rationale behind the rare early issue of Ratna Manikya, featuring a legend written in similar tughra form, becomes understandable. Similarly the serendipidous appearance of a lion motif on some Tankas of Nasir al-Din Mahmud in the mid 15th century, at about the same time that Ratna Manikya was devising his coinage for Tripura, was to influence the design of almost every coin subsequently issued by this state.

1 1

2

2

Sultans of Bengal, Jalal al-Din Muhammad (second reign: AH 821-836/7; AD 141832/3), Tanka, 10.78g, Dakhil “Banjaliya”, AH 828, legend in tughra-style, jalāl aldunyā wa’l dīn abū’l muẓ affar muḥammad shāh al-sulṭān, rev. Kalima in centre, mint and date in the margin (G&G. B348), slightly crimped as a result of a couple of small shroffmarks, slight flan crack on reverse from striking, attractive very fine, rare

£80-100

Sultans of Bengal, Jalal al-Din Muhammad, Tanka, 10.35g, Dakhil (“Banjaliya”), date obscured by shroff-marks, both sides in tughra-style characters, rev. khalīfat allāh nāṣir alislãm wa’l muslimīn (G&G. B367), with several shroff-marks on the reverse, good very fine, rare

£60-80

3

3

4

4

Sultans of Bengal, Nasir al-Din Mahmud (AH 837-864; AD 1433/34-59), Lion Tanka, 10.66g, AH 849, unidentified mint, lion to right with ruler’s titles in the margin, rev. al-mu’ayyad bi-ta’yīd, al-rah mãn, khalīfat allãh bi’l h ujjat wa’l burhãn within circle and decorative border (G&G. B480), with various shroff-marks, as is often the case with the Lion Tankas of this ruler, attractive very fine, very rare

£250-300

Sultans of Bengal, Rukn al-Din Barbak (AH 864-879; AD 1459-74), Tanka, 10.46g, AH 873, Barbakabad, d arb al-sulṭãn al-‘adil al-a‘z am bãrbakshãh sulṭãn ibn mah mūd shãh khallad allãh mulkahu …?, rev. Kalima with mint and date below, both sides within circle and margin with decorations and wording, this type for Barbakabad not in G&G, a couple of shroff-marks and dark toning, attractive very fine, very rare

£150-200

There is an unread word below the mint name and to the right of the date. The last word on the obverse is also uncertain. On other coins of this overall type the obverse legend ends in wa sulṭãnhu, but that is not the case here.

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TRIPURA During the 15th century, certain Brahmins felt threatened by the increased Islamisation of Bengal, and began to move eastwards. Judging from the evidence of coins, the first tribal chief to adopt Hinduism was Ratna-pha of Tripura, who assumed the Hindu name of Ratna Manikya. His coins are all dated Ĺšaka 1386 (AD 1464), which must have been a pivotal date in the transformation process. They are all of silver, of the same weight standard (c.10.5g) as the contemporary coins of the Bengal Sultanate, and most show a lion on one side. Although this same lion had appeared on some coins of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah of Bengal (lot 3), in the case of Tripura it was probably intended as an appropriate royal insignia. In Hindu iconography the lion represents the vehicle of Durga, so the religious invocations to Lord Shiva and his consort on the coins were also appropriate. On one coin, a grotesque human-faced winged dragon appears, which has been interpreted as a unique representation of the Hindu deity, Narasimha, but would once have probably been instantly recognised by the tribals as a powerful local deity, whose memory is now lost.

Another coin (lot 6), has a Sanskrit legend invoking the Chaturdasa Devata, the fourteen local tribal deities, represented by fourteen vertical lines with a garland draped over them. This shows that the local deities had been absorbed into the Hindu pantheon. The clear impression is of a coinage that closely copied the contemporary sultanate coinage, but which clearly stated that it was issued by a Hindu ruler. The high quality of the coins, produced in a state that had no previous history of metal working, indicates that they were struck by metal workers experienced in the production of coins in the sultanate mints who had been attracted to work for the new Hindu king. The coins were also generally designed with no human representations of deities, so that they would be accepted for circulation in Muslim-dominated Bengal.

The coinage of Tripura continued on the same principles for over four centuries, well into the colonial era. They provide important chronological information, as most of them bear the date of the installation of each new ruler, information not available from any other source. The local historical chronicle, the Rajmala, provides a mythological genealogy that gave Hindu legitimacy to the king but, although it gives much information of events during the historical period, provides no dates. Some military victories recorded in the Rajmala have dates that coincide with those of coins struck to celebrate the same events. However, the chronicle has also been subject to a degree of censorship. Accordingly, the names of certain rulers who struck coins have been removed from the official record.

Only the information from the coins themselves can fill in such gaps. Sometimes they can even give a clue as to why such censorship occurred, as in the case of a coin of Tripura type, which also bears the name of the king of Arakan.

This king was clearly a puppet ruler installed by the king of Arakan during one of his more successful invasions of Tripura.

Although most coins of Tripura are infrequently found in Bengal, those from the 16th century are found in some quantity. This indicates that they circulated more widely, supporting a theory that they were used to pay Portuguese mercenaries that were employed by the Raja of Tripura to protect him against incursions from the Muslims in the west.

Another unique feature of the coins of Tripura is that they usually also give the name of the queen. Such consistent mention of females is unprecedented anywhere in South Asia, and clearly shows that the queen must have played an important part in the religious rituals of the Kingdom. Interestingly, this role of the queen is not mentioned anywhere in the Rajamala, which adopts a more orthodox position.

This auction features probably the finest representation of Tripura coinage ever to be offered for sale, including many examples of the early coinage and some extremely rare issues, e.g. a Tanka of Mukut Manikya (lot 17); coins of Iśvara, Chattra, Narendra, Mahindra, Mukunda, Indra Manikya, which are rarely seen (lots 100, 116 & 117, 125, 126, 132, 135 & 136), and a good selection of the late coinage including some extremely rare gold coins.

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September 24, 2013 - London

5 5

Tripura, Ratna Manikya (1464-89), Tanka, 10.43g, undated, legend within octagonal and wavy border, Śrī Nã/rãyana Chara/na para, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Devah within scalloped circle, (RB. 1), good very fine, extremely rare This is one of the very first issues of the Tripura state. Ratna Manikya had spent some years at the court of the Bengal Sultan, Rukn al-Din Barbak Shah, and will have been familiar with the issues of that sultanate, including those struck during the brief reigns of Danuja Marddana Deva and Mahendra Deva, which used contemporary Bengali script rather than the usual Perso-Arabic script. The legend invokes Vishnu in the form of Narayana.

£1,500-2,000

6 6 (x1.5)

6

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1386, Śrī Chaturdasa De/va Charana para/Śaka 1386, below 14 vertical lines and curved line, rev. Śrī Śrī Yuta/Ratna Mãni/kya Deva within double incurving octagon, (RB. 4; KM. 1), good very fine with slight toning, of the highest rarity This exceptional issue, of which RB mentions only one specimen, pays homage to the fourteen local deities worshipped in Tripura, the Chaturdasa Devata, who are represented by the fourteen vertical lines on the obverse, and where the curved line would represent a garland. The inspiration for such a design will have been taken from various issues of the Bengal sultans, Jalal al-Din Muhammad and Nasir al-Din Mahmud, where inscriptions were engraved in tughra-style characters, using long vertical lines.

£2,000-2,500

7 7

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1386, Ratnapura, lion facing left in centre, around: Śrī Nãrãyana Charana Para Ratnapure 1386, rev. Śrī Nãrãyana/Charana Para/Śrī Śrī Ratna Mã/nikya Deva in double square with some ornaments outside (RB. 8; KM. 5), good very fine, extremely rare After the issue of the initial coinage with its inscriptions on both sides, Ratna Manikya introduced the lion design which was to become such a feature of Tripura coinage from then onwards. Again, inspiration for the design must have come from rare issues of the Bengal sultans, Jalal al-Din Muhammad and Nasir al-Din Mahmud that feature a similar lion. In the Hindu religion, the lion is the vahana, or vehicle, of the goddess Durga. It is noteworthy than some subsequent Tripura issues actually include an invocation to the goddess.

Ratnapura was the name of the Tripura capital, and is now known as udaipur.

7

£500-600

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9

9

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.60g, Sk 1386, Ratnapura, lion facing left in centre, around: Śrī Nãrãyana Charana Para Ratnapure 1386, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva within single circle and border of linked diamonds (RB. 11), good very fine, very rare

£400-500

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.50g, Sk 1386, Ratnapura, lion facing right in centre, around: Śrī Nãrãyana Charana Para Ratnapure 1386, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva in double square with ornaments outside (RB. 16; KM. 17), toned good very fine, very rare

£350-450

10 10

11

11

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.61g, Sk 1386, Ratnapura, lion facing left in centre, around: Śrī Durga Pada Para Ratnapure Śãke 1386, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva, cross at end of first line, all within double octagon (RB. 21; KM. 12), good very fine, very rare

£350-450

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.54g, Sk 1386, Ratnapura, lion facing left in centre, around: Śrī Durga Pada Para Ratnapure Śãke 1386, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva, within cusped octagon and with uncertain legend around: Nara Nãrãyana….. yaha (RB. 27), a couple of shroff marks, very fine, very rare

£300-400

This coin has a clear invocation to the goddess Durga

12 12

13

14

13

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.61g, undated and without mint name, lion facing right, within circle with outer border of ‘teeth’ with pellets, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva within double square with ornaments outside (RB. 30; KM. 18), with small area of adhesion on the obverse, good very fine, very rare

£300-400

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.46g, undated, solid lion facing right within circle and toothed border, Śrī Durga to left and below, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva within double square with ornamental border (RB. 31; KM. 20), very fine and rare

£200-300

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.63 g, undated, solid lion facing right within circle and toothed border, Śrī Durga to left and below, rev. Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva within double square, with beads between, and with border of pointed teeth (RB. 33), good very fine, rare

£200-300

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September 24, 2013 - London

15 15

16

16

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.57g, undated, solid lion facing left within circle and border of pointed teeth, Śrī Durga to left and below, rev. in three lines, Śrī Śrī Ra/tna Mãni/kya Deva within ornamental border of wavy lines (RB. 38; KM. 23), about extremely fine, rare

£300-400

Tripura, Ratna Manikya, Tanka, 10.53g, undated, solid lion facing left within circle and border of pointed teeth, Śrī Durga to left and below, rev. in four lines: Śrī Nãrãyana/Charana Para/Śrī Śrī Ratna Mã/nikya Devah within ornamental border of wavy lines (RB. 39; KM. 24), small edge defect, about extremely fine, rare

£250-300

17 17 (x1.5) 17

Tripura, Mukut Manikya (1489-90), Tanka, 10.56g, undated, citing Queen Machtri, linear inscription on both sides, Śrī Machya/ndī Charana/Chãrana Cha/kravarttinyau, rev. Śrī Machtrī/Mahãdevī/Śrī Śrī Mukut/Mãnikyau (RB. 42; KM. 29), good very fine, of the highest rarity

£2,000-2,500

Little is known about Mukut Manikya. His coins, known from three types, are all extremely rare. This one has a reference to the goddess Chandi, the only one in the whole Tripura series. RB mentions this coin as the sole example of the type known to them.

18 18

19

19

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya (1490-1520), Tanka, 10.59g, undated, citing Queen Kamala, solid lion to right, fish symbol below, within toothed border, rev. Śrī Śrī Dhanya/Mãnikya Śrī/Kamalã Ma/hã Devyau within square and toothed border (RB. 43; KM. 36), good very fine, very rare

£300-400

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, undated, solid lion to right, fish symbol below, within toothed border, rev. Śrī Śrī Dha/nya Mãni/kya Devah in double square, with beads between the squares, and with toothed border (RB. 46; KM. 37), about extremely fine, rare

£250-300

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20

21

22

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1412, lion facing left, with small annulet above its head, all within a circle and toothed border, rev. in three lines within circle: Śrī Śrī Dha/nya Mãni/kya Devah, around, reading outwards: Śrī Narasimha Charana Parãyana Subhamastu Śãke 1412 (RB. 48; KM. 39), very fine with some toning, extremely rare

£400-500

The legends include an invocation to Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu.

21

22

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.66g, undated, lion facing left, annulet above, all within a circle and toothed border, rev. in three lines: Śrī Dha/nya Mãni/kya Devah and arabesques within a circle, with toothed border (RB. 51; KM. 40), reverse strike showing some movement of the die, good very fine, rare

£150-250

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.47g, said to be dated Sk 1412 in code, lion facing left, eight annulets in field, all within double circle, with beads between the circles, rev. Śrī Śrī Dha/nya Mãni/kya Devah with arabesques all within a circle and toothed border (RB. 52; KM. 41), good very fine, with some toning, very rare

£300-400

In an article in JNSI, Vol. LI “A silver coin of Dhanya Manikya”, SK Bose thought the eight small circles in the obverse field represented the sum of the digits in the date Sk 1412.

23

23

24

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.05g, Sk 1412, citing Queen Kamala, lion facing left, bead below tail, date below, all within a circle and toothed border, rev.

Tripurendra/Śrī Śrī Dhanya/Mãnikya Śrī Ka/malã Devyau within square with ornamental border (RB. 56), good very fine, very rare

25

£300-400

The legend on this coin includes the epithet “Tripurendra” – “Lord of Tripura” 24

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.19g, Sk 1412, citing Queen Kamala, as previous lot but no bead below tail (RB. 57), about good very fine, some toning, very rare

£250-350

Rhodes and Bose consider the presence, absence, and position of beads on these and later Tripura issues to be significant in terms of mint management, though precisely in what way is not known.

25

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.68g, undated, citing Queen Kamala, lion facing right, bead beneath tail, all within a circle and toothed border, rev. Tripurendra/Śrī Śrī Dhanya/Mãnikya Śrī Ka/malã Devyau within square with ornamental border (RB. 60; KM. 45), good very fine, very rare

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£250-350

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27

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.51g, Sk 1412, citing Queen Kamala, lion facing right, crescent and bead above mane, date below, all within a circle and toothed border, rev. Tripurendra/Śrī Śrī Dhanya/Mãnikya Śrī Ka/malã Devyau within square with ornamental border (RB. 62; KM. 46), very fine with some toning, very rare

£250-350

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1412, citing Queen Kamala, lion facing left, annulet above, date below, all within a circle and fin-like border, rev.

Tripurendra/Śrī Śrī Dhanya/Mãnikya Śrī Ka/malã Devyau within square with ornamental border (RB. 63), good very fine, very rare

£250-350

28 28

27

29

30

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.31g, Sk 1435, victory issue, citing Queen Kamala, lion to left, date below, all within a circle and fin-like border, rev. Chattigram Vi/jayi Śrī Śrī Dha/nya Mãnikya Śrī/Kamalã Devyau within square and ornamental border (RB. 67), very fine, very rare

£250-350

This issue celebrates the capture of Chittagong.

29

30

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.61g, Sk 1435, victory issue, citing Queen Kamala, as previous lot but smaller lion and date behind lion (RB. 68), good very fine, very rare

£250-350

Tripura, Dhanya, Manikya, Tanka, 10.22g, Sk 1435, victory issue, citing Queen Kamala, as previous lot but two beads above lion’s head (RB 70), very fine, very rare

£200-250

31 31

32

33

32

33

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.53g, Sk 1435, victory issue, citing Queen Kamala, as previous lot but lion facing right and no beads, date at right (RB 71; KM. 48), nice very fine, rare

£200-250

Tripura, Dhanya Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1435, victory issue, citing Queen Kamala, as previous lot but with two large pellets by lion’s mouth (RB 73; KM. 48), about good very fine, rare

£200-250

Tripura, Deva Manikya (1526-32), Tanka, Sk 1448, citing Queen Padmavati, lion facing right, crescent and bead above, date below within circle and fin-like border, rev. Śrī Śrī Deva/Mãnikya De/va Śrī Padmã/vatī Devyau within square and decorative border (RB. 76; KM. 54), chisel mark on obverse, very fine, very rare

£200-250

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35

36

Tripura, Deva Manikya, Tanka, Sk 1449, citing Queen Padmavati, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, two beads by lion’s mouth and one by its neck, date below, all within a circle and fin-like border, rev. in four lines: Dhurãsãra Snã/yi Tripura Śrī/Śrī Deva Mãni/kya Padmãvatyau within square and border (RB. 78), one shroff mark on the obverse, very fine, very rare

£250-300

Dhurãsãra Snayi means bathing in the River Dhurasara, though no such river is otherwise known.

35

36

Tripura, Deva Manikya, Tanka, Sk 1449, citing Queen Padmavati, as previous lot but no bead by lion’s mouth, an annulet behind lion, rev. in five lines: Dhurãsãra/Snãyi Tripu/ra Śrī Śrī De/va Mãnikya/Padmãvatyau within square and border (RB. 79), good very fine, very rare

£250-300

Tripura, Deva Manikya, Tanka, Sk 1450, citing Queen Padmavati and celebrating a victory at Sunargaon, lion to left, crescent and bead above, bead in front of neck, date below, within circle and fin-like border, rev. in 5 lines: Swuvarnagra/ma Vijayi/Śrī Śrī Deva/Mãnikya Śrī/Padmãvatyau within square and border (RB. 82; KM. 55), very fine

£200-300

37

37

38

39

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya (1532-64), Tanka, 10.56g, Sk 1454, lion to right, crescent and bead above, standard above lion, date below within circle and border of right-sloping hooks, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Vi/jaya Mãni/kya Deva within square and ornamental border (RB. 86), very fine with some toning, rare

£150-200

From the reign of Vijaya Manikya, the obverse design includes a royal standard of various types issuing from the back of the lion.

38

39

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.57g, Sk 1454, citing Queen Vijaya, lion to right, standard above, two beads by mouth, one above head, date below all within circle and toothed border, rev. Śrī Śrī Vija/ya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Vi/jaya Devyau within square and ornamental border (RB. 89; KM. 61), very fine, rare

£100-150

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.84g, Sk 1456, citing Queen Vijaya, lion to right, standard above, two beads by the mouth and one by the tail of the lion, date below, all within circle and double toothed border; rev. in five lines: Kumudīsha/Darshi Śrī Śrī/Vijaya Mã/nikya Śrī Vi/jaya Devyau within square and ornamental border (RB. 91; KM. 62), good very fine, some toning, rare

£150-200

The epithet kumudisha darshi means “one who looks at the moon”; this may be an astrological or astronomical reference, or may simply refer to the king gazing upon the beauty of his queen!

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40 40

41

42

44

45

£100-150

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.72g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot, but crescent and bead above lion’s head and reverse inscription slightly differently arranged: Śrī Śrī Vija/ya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Lakshmī/Mahã Devyau (RB. 94; KM. 63), about extremely fine

£100-150

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.15g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot, but two beads in front of lion’s mouth (RB. 95; KM. 63), very fine

£80-100

47

48

44

45

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.60g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot but the two beads in front of lion’s mouth located differently (RB. 97; KM. 63), very fine

£80-100

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.50g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot but triangle of beads by lion’s head and bead behind lion, śaka below lion, standard type ‘e’, 4 in date reversed (RB. 98; KM. 63), very fine with some toning

£80-100

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.19g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, similar to preceding lots but obverse now within circle of beads, śaka behind lion, no beads by lion’s head, standard type ‘d’, 4 in date correctly engraved (RB. 99; KM. 63), good very fine but reverse rather weakly struck

£80-100

46 46

42

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.79g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, lion to right, standard above, bead in front of lion’s mouth, date below, all within circle and toothed border, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Vija/ya Mãnikya De/va Śrī Lakshmī/Mahã Devyau within square (RB. 92; KM. 63), small edge defect, about extremely fine

43 43

41

47

48

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.48g, Sk 1458, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot but two beads by lion’s mouth and different ornaments outside the square on the reverse (RB. 102; KM. 63), toned very fine

£80-100

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 9.73g, Sk 1458 with number 4 retrograde, citing Queen Lakshmi, triangle of beads before lion’s mouth, reverse ornamentation different (RB. 103; KM. 63), very fine

£60-80

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.38g, Sk 1458 with number 4 retrograde, citing Queen Lakshmi, lion to left, standard, crescent and bead above, within circle and beaded border, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Vija/ya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Lakshmī/Mahã Devyau within square and ornamental border (RB. 104; KM. 64), some slight surface marks on obverse, very fine

£100-150

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50

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.86g, Sk 1476, citing Queen Sarasvati and commemorating a ritual bath at Dhvaja Ghat, lion to right, standard and crescent above, date below, all within circle and plain border, rev. in five lines: Dhvaja Ghata Snã/yi Śrī Śrī Vija/ya Mãnikya De/va Śrī Sarasva/ti Mahã Devyau within square and ornamental border (RB. 105; KM. 65var.), very fine, very rare

£250-300

The Dhvaja Ghat is on the Brahmaputra, due west of Tripura. This issue commemorates a successful raid into Muslim territory.

50

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.18g, Sk 1476, citing Queen Sarasvati and commemorating a ritual bath at Dhvajat Ghat, as previous lot but small lion within small circle and ornamental border (RB. 107; KM. 65), shroff mark on edge, very fine, scarce

51 51

£100-150

52

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.68g, Sk 1479, citing Queen Lakshmi, lion to right, standard, crescent and bead above, bead by lion’s mouth, date below, all within circle and ornamental border, rev. in four lines: Pratisindhu Si/m Śrī Śrī Vijaya/Mãnikya Deva La/kshmī Rãnī Devya in square and ornamental border (RB. 109; KM. 66), slightly weak in one area, very fine, scarce

£80-100

This issue includes the expression Pratisindhu sim, which means “right up to the sea.”

This may refer to a military occupation of territory as far as the sea.

52

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.78g, Sk 1479, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous type but smaller lion, no beads in field, digits of the date in front of the lion, and different standard (type ‘f ’), on the reverse, sīm instead of sim (RB. 110; KM. 66), very fine, scarce

53 53

54

54

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.69g, Sk 1479, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous type but reverse legend differently arranged: Pratisindhu Sim/Śrī Śrī Vijaya/Mãnikya Deva La/kshmi Rani Devya (RB. 111; KM. 66), very fine, scarce

£100-150

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.69g, Sk 1479, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous type but beads behind standard, above lion’s head and in front of its mouth, digits of date below lion (RB. 114; KM. 66), very fine, scarce

£100-150

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£100-150

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55 55

56

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.54g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, figure of Ardhanarishvara, date below, śãka to left, within circle and toothed border, with beads between the teeth, rev. in five lines: Lakshya Snãyi/Śrī Śrī Tripura Ma/hesh Vijaya Mãni/kya Deva Śrī Lakshmī/Rãnī Devyah within 12-arched and circular border (RB. 116; KM. 67), very fine, scarce

£250-300

The River Lakhi is a branch of the Brahmaputra that passes near to Sonargaon and Dacca.

The ritual bath was presumably undertaken during another foray into Muslim territory.

The depiction of Ardhanarishvara is unusually syncretic in as much as it is shown as half the ten-handed Durga seated on her lion, and half the four-handed Shiva seated on his humped bull.

56

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, as previous lot but obverse within border of large beads with smaller beads on top, śãka below figure (RB. 117; KM. 67), attractive very fine, scarce

57 57

58

58

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.61g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, as previous lot but with large pellet by the upper hand of Shiva on the obverse, and a crescent in top arc of the reverse above the legend and a star at the bottom (RB. 119; KM. 67), very fine with a little toning, scarce

£250-300

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, as previous lot but śãka at far left of obverse and without the extra symbols on the reverse (RB. 121; KM. 67), very fine, a little toning, scarce

£250-300

59 59

£250-300

60

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, as previous lot but śãka below on the obverse and a star at the bottom of the reverse (RB. -; KM. 67), slight adhesions, very fine, scarce

£250-300

This particular variety is not in RB; it has the star symbol as found on RB. 119 but lacks the large pellet on the obverse next to the upper hand of Shiva.

60

Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1482, citing Queen Lakshmi and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Lakhi, as previous lot, but star beneath “sh” of “manesh” and not at the bottom of the reverse (RB. 124; KM. 67), very fine, scarce 15

£250-300

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61 Tripura, Vijaya Manikya, Tanka, 9.82g, Sk 1485, citing Queen Vaka and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Padma, Vishnu seated, supported by Garuda, with two attendants all supported by four animals, date below, all within circular border, rev. 6-line legend in Mandala-shaped area: Padmã/vati Snãyi Śrī/Śrī Visvesva/ra Vijaya/Deva Śrī Vaka/devya, Shiva-lingam in small square in the centre (RB. 125; KM. 68), very fine and extremely rare

61

£600-800

The River Padma was well inside Muslim territory so this ritual bath will also have been undertaken during a successful military incursion. This issue also demonstrates that a new queen was in favour.

62 62 (x1.5) Tripura, Ananta Manikya (1564-67), Tanka, 10.70g, Sk 1486, Krishna playing flute on dais with female attendants either side holding flowers, date below, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta Ana/nta Mãni/kya Deva within rectangle with arabesques around and outer circular floral border (RB. 127), small weakly struck area near edge, extremely fine, extremely rare

62

63 63

64

65

64

65

Tripura, Ananta Manikya, Tanka, 10.55g, Sk 1486, Vishnu seated, supported by Garuda, date to left and right, within circle and border of large beads, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/tãnanta Mãni/kya Deva within scalloped circle, crescent at top and star at bottom of legend (RB. 128; KM. 73), very fine, very rare

£350-450

Tripura, Ananta Manikya, Tanka, 10.30g, Sk 1487, citing Queen Ratnavati, lion facing left, standard above, date below within circle and border of cusped arcs, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutãna/nta Mãnikya De/va Śrī Ratnava/ti Maha Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 129; KM. 74), a couple of toned areas, very fine

£100-150

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.64g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, lion facing left, standard above, date below, within a circle and border of sloping arches, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutoda/ya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Hira/Maha Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 131; KM. 79), good very fine, scarce

£100-150

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£600-800

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67

68

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.56g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot, but bead in front of line and the 89 of the date behind the lion’s back leg (RB. 133; KM. 79), very fine, scarce

£80-100

The addition and position of pellets and beads on the coins of this ruler were probably secret control marks at the mint. The same dies occur with and without these additions so the process must have been intentional.

67

68

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 11.16g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot, but border of arches on the obverse points right rather than left, no bead in front of lion, none of the date behind lion’s back leg; reverse legend arranged slightly differently: Śrī Śrī Yutoda/ya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Hi/rã Mahã Devyau (RB. 136; KM. 79), very fine, scarce

£80-100

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot but large pellet added behind lion’s tail, and all of “Hira” on the third line of the reverse legend; reverse legend rather crudely engraved (RB. 139; KM. 79), reverse a little weakly struck, good very fine, scarce

£80-100

69 69

70

71

70

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.19g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot but bead added in front of lion (RB. 140; KM. 79), very fine, scarce

£80-100

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot but arabesques outside the square on the reverse are different (RB. 141; KM. 79), good very fine, scarce

£100-120

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.54g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot but crescent and bead added above the lion’s head, arches in border point to the left, reverse legend arranged differently: Śrī Śrī Yuto/daya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Hi/rã Mahã Devyau (RB. 142; KM. 79), very fine, scarce

£80-100

72 72

73

71

73

Tripura, Udaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.53g, Sk 1489, citing Queen Hira, as previous lot but pellet added above lion to the left of the standard, rev. “Hira” complete in the third line of the legend (RB. 145; KM. 79), very fine, scarce

£80-100

Tripura, Jaya Manikya (1573-77), Tanka, 10.60g, Sk 1495, lion facing left, standard above, date below within circle and border of beads, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta/Jãya Mãni/kya Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 147; KM. 84), toned very fine

£100-150

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75

76

75

76

Tripura, Jaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1495, citing Queen Subhadra, lion facing left, standard, with item tied to shaft above, date below, within circle and border of beads, rev. in four lines: Sri Śrī Śrī Yuta/Jãya Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Subha/drã Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 149; KM. 85), very fine with some toning

£100-150

Tripura, Jaya Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1495, citing Queen Subhadra, as previous lot but two beads added in front of lion’s mouth (RB. 151; KM. 85), good very fine

£100-150

Tripura, Amara Manikya (1577-86), Tanka, 10.64g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, lion facing left, standard above, date to left and below, all within a circle and outer border of double arches; rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutãma/ra Mãnikya De/va Śrī Amarãva/tī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 152; KM. 90), good very fine

£80-100

The coins of this ruler are amongst the commonest of the whole Tripura series. Some of the dies used exist in a number of states with one or more beads added, while there is considerable variation in the form of the standard that issues from the lion’s back. It should be noted that the KM. catalogues do not list these varieties separately, nor similar ones for other rulers.

77 77

78

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.82g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, as previous lot but pellet added behind lion and below rear foot of lion (RB. 154; KM. 90), good very fine with slight toning

£80-100

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, as previous lot but no pellet below lion’s foot and with pellet in arch above the standard (RB. 156; KM. 90), very fine

£80-100

79 79

80

81

78

80

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.83g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, as previous lot, without pellet in arch, but with pointed pellet above the standard and another pellet below the lion’s head (RB. 157; KM. 90), good very fine

£80-100

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.65g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, similar to previous lot, but no pellet below lion’s head, and śãke below lion (RB. 159; KM. 90), very fine

£60-80

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.61g, Sk 1499, citing Queen Amaravati, similar to previous lot, but standard type ‘k’, small pellet in front of lion, and śãke divided by lion’s front foot (RB. 161; KM. 90), some areas of adhesions, very fine

£60-80

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82 82

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.46g, Sk 1502, relatively broad flan (27mm) citing Queen Amaravati, lion facing left, standard above, with nothing tied to it but with bead added at top left, date below, śãke between lion’s two front legs, all within circle and outer border of double arches, rev. in four lines: Digbijayi Śrī Śrī/Yutãmara Mãni/kya Deva Śrī Ama/rãvatī Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 164; KM. 91), very fine

£80-100

This type issued in Sk 1502 (AD 1580) includes the epithet Digvijayi - “Conqueror of the World”. This probably refers to some successful military campaign, as for early Hindu rulers a digvijaya was a ceremonial tour of conquest around neighbouring kingdoms 83

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.73g, Sk 1502, citing Queen Amaravati, as previous lot but different standard, without adjacent bead, small bead in front of lion, śãke above the first of the lion’s feet (RB. 165; KM. 91), very fine

84 84

85

£60-80

85

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.71g, Sk 1502, citing Queen Amaravati, as previous lot but standard has circular arc at base, śãke between lion’s two front legs (RB. 166; KM. 91), very fine

£60-80

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.69g, Sk 1503, citing Queen Amaravati, commemorating the conquest of Sylhet, lion facing left, standard (type ‘m’) above, date below, all within circle and outer border of double arches with pellets, rev. in four lines: Śrīhatte Vijayi/Śrī Śrī Yutãmara Mã/nikya Deva Śrī A/marãvatī Devyau in square with ornaments outside (RB. 169; KM. 92), very fine

£60-80

This, the last of Amara Manikya’s issues, has the explicit epithet Srihatta Vijayi “Conqueror of Sylhet”

86 86

87

87

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.67g, Sk 1503, citing Queen Amaravati, commemorating the conquest of Sylhet, as previous lot but different standard (type ‘i’) (RB. 170; KM. 92), good very fine, some slight toning

£80-100

Tripura, Amara Manikya, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1503, citing Queen Amaravati, commemorating the conquest of Sylhet, as previous lot but bead added below lion’s head (RB. 171; KM. 92), very fine

£60-80

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88 88

89

90

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya (1586-99), Tanka, 10.67g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, lion facing left, standard (type ‘o’) above, date below, all within circle and outer border of circles with pellets, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta Rãja/dhara Mãnikya De/va Śrī Satyãva/tī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 176; KM. 97), with reverse showing some die movement, very fine

£60-80

It is said that Rajadhara Manikya devoted himself to religious ceremonies rather than the affairs of state. His end came when he fell into the river Gumti and was drowned while drinking water in which an image of Vishnu had been washed. All his coins are dated Sk 1508 but there are several variations in the form of the standard above the lion.

89

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.58g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but different standard (type ‘p’?), and no bead to the left of it (RB. 178; KM. 97), very fine

£60-80

It is not always easy to identify the type of standard according to the drawings in RB; RB are not always consistent 90

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.58g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but different standard (type ‘r’) (RB. 180, KM. 97), very fine

91 91

92

93

92

95

£60-80

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.57g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but different standard (type ‘s’), and pellet added in front of lion’s mouth instead of above its head (RB. 182; KM. 97), very fine

£60-80

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.62g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but pellet now on top of the standard (RB. 183; KM. 97), good very fine

£80-100

95

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.58g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot, but Deva now written complete on line 3 (RB. 184; KM. 97), very fine with some toning, especially on the reverse

£60-80

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.70g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but small bead added to the left of the standard (RB. 185; KM. 97), good very fine

£80-100

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Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.67g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but different standard (type ‘q’), and pellet added above lion’s head (RB. 181; KM. 97), very fine

94 94

£60-80

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96 96

97

98

97

98

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.65g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but bead now added above lion’s head to the left of the standard (RB. 186; KM. 97), about good very fine

£60-80

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 10.54g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but bead now positioned just within the standard, this variety does not appear to be in RB (RB. -; KM. 97), very fine

£70-90

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya, Tanka, 19,57g, Sk 1508, citing Queen Satyavati, similar to previous lot but standard (type ‘v’) (RB. – KM. 97), very fine

£70-90

Although standard type ‘v’ is listed for Rajadhara Manikya on page 23 of RB, it is not actually mentioned or illustrated in the catalogue proper!

99 99

100

Tripura, Yaso Manikya (first reign 1599-1600), Tanka, 10.55g, Sk 1521, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of circles with a bead in each, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta/Yaso Mãni/kya Devah in square with ornaments outside (RB. 189; KM. 107), with small area of adhesion, very fine, very rare

101

£250-300

The death of Rajadhara Manikya led to a period of chaos in Tripura of which little is known apart from what can be gleaned from the coins. Coins are known for two kings dated Sk 1521, Virabhadra Manikya (known from a coin in the Dacca Museum) and yaso Manikya. The latter’s first reign must have been very brief for in the following year coins were struck in the name of Ishvara Manikya. His reign, too, was very brief, as yaso Manikya started his second reign in that same year (Sk 1522). Needless to say, the coins of the period of chaos are all very or extremely rare.

100

Tripura, Ishvara Manikya (1600), Tanka, 10.60g, Sk 1522, two queens each named Ishvara, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of circles with a bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutisvara/Mãnikya Deva Śrī/Isvarã Śrī Isva/rã Mahã Devyah in square with ornaments outside (RB. 190; KM. 114), about extremely fine and very rare

£900-1,100

This issue is remarkable in citing two queens at the same time. The only other such occurrence is on the Krishna coins of yaso Manikya struck during his second reign, where some issues even have three queens cited at the same time.

Another specimen of Ishvara Manikya sold for $1700 in Steve Album’s auction 10 in 2011.

101

Tripura, Yaso Manikya (second reign 1600-18), Tanka, 10.60g, Sk 1522, citing Queen Lakshmi, Krishna standing on lion facing left, playing flute; one gopi on right side, date below, all within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta Ya/so Mãnikya/Deva Śrī La/kshmī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 192; KM. 108), extremely fine, very rare The type with one gopi is much rarer than the subsequent type featuring two gopis.

21

£350-450

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103

103

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.40g, citing Queen Lakshmi, as previous lot but reverse legend slightly differently arranged: Śrī Śrī Yuta Yaso Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Lakshmī/Mahã Devyau (RB. 193; KM. 108), very fine, very rare

£300-350

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.65g, Sk 1522, citing Queens Gauri and Lakshmi, Krishna standing on lion facing left, playing flute, one gopi on either side, date below, all within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutã Ja/so Mãnikya de/va Śrī Gaurã La/kshmī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 195; KM. 109), good very fine, rare

£200-300

104 104

105

105

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1522, citing Queens Gauri and Lakshmi, as previous lot but Ja/so of reverse legend now altered to Ya/so (RB. 197; KM. 109), very fine, rare

£150-200

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.56g, Sk 1522, citing Queens Gauri, Lakshmi and Jaya, obverse as previous lot but reverse legend: Śrī Śrī Yuta Yaso/Mãnikya Deva/Śrī Lakshmī Gaurī Jã/ya Mahã Devyah (RB. 199; KM. 109), very fine, slight toning on reverse, rare

£200-250

This is the only instance in the whole Tripura series where three queens are cited on the same coin.

106

106

107

107

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1522, citing Queens Gauri, Lakshmi and Jaya, as previous lot but reverse struck from a rather rusty and unclear die (RB. 200; KM. 109), very fine, scarce

£150-200

Tripura, Yaso Manikya, Tanka, 10.34g, Sk 1522, citing Queens Gauri, Lakshmi and Jaya, similar to previous lot but last two lines of reverse differently arranged: Śrī Lakshmī Gaurī/Jãya Mahã Devyah (RB. 201; KM. 109), very fine, rare

£200-250

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109

108 108

109

Tripura, Kalyana Manikya (1626-60), Tanka, 10.13g, Sk 1548, citing Queen Kalavati, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta Kalya/na Mã [lingam] nikya/Deva Śrī Kalãva/tī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 204; KM. 124), very fine, rare Tripura was invaded by the Mughals in around AD 1618. yaso Manikya and his family were taken prisoner to Dacca and then to Delhi, never to return to Tripura. It is not clear how long the Mughal occupation actually lasted but after some time the Tripura nobles elected Kalyana Manikya king although he was not of royal descent. Although his rule lasted for more than 30 years, his coins are rare and must have been struck on very few occasions. One prominent feature of his Tankas is the Shiva Lingam in the centre of the reverse. Another innovation is the striking of smaller denominations, as in the following two lots.

Tripura, Kalyana Manikya, Half-Tanka, 5.08g, Sk 1548, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yutã/Kalyana Mã/nikya Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 206; KM. 123), very fine, very rare

£250-350

£300-400

110 111 110

111

Tripura, Kalyana Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.44g, Sk 1548, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of pellets, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta Kalya/na Devah within square and different ornamental border (RB. 208; KM. 122), good fine, rare Tripura, Govinda Manikya (1660-61 & 1667-76), Tanka, 10.39g, Sk 1582, citing Queen Gunavati, lion facing left, standard above, date below, all within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yutã Go/vinda Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Gunava/tī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside, lingam at top (RB. 211; KM. 135), very fine, rare All the known coins of Govinda Manikya bear the date of his first accession.

113

£200-300

113

112 112

£100-150

Tripura, Govinda Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.54g, Sk 1582, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, date below within circle and border of pellets, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī [lingam] Yu/ta Govi/nda Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 212; KM. 133), very fine, scarce Tripura, Govinda Manikya, eighth-Tanka, 1.29g, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in two lines: Śrī Go/vindah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 214; KM. 132), toned very fine, scarce In the 1970s, crude forgeries of this and similar fractions appeared on the market.

They are still seen from time to time and, clearly, should be avoided.

23

£100-150

£60-80

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114

114

115

115

114 (x1.5)

Tripura, Govinda Manikya, eighth-Tanka, 1.23g, undated, as previous lot (RB. 214; KM. 132), toned good very fine

£80-100

Tripura, Govinda Manikya, eighth-Tanka, 1.27g, undated, as previous lot (RB. 214; KM. 132), toned very fine

£60-80

117 116 116

Tripura, Chattra Manikya (1661-67), Tanka, 10.23g, Sk 1583, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, all within a circle and border of double pointed arches with a bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Hara Gaurī Pa/da Padma Madhup/Śrī Śrī Yuta Chattra/Mãnikya Devyau within square with ornaments outside (RB. 215; KM. 145), attractive very fine, extremely rare

£700-800

Chattra Manikya, the step-brother of Govinda Manikya, apparently usurped the throne in AD 1661 with the help of the Nawab of Murshidabad. No queen is cited on his coins but instead we have an invocation to Shiva and Parvati which translates as “Drinking of the nectar of the lotus at the foot of Hara Gauri”. Few examples of his coins are known.

117

Tripura, Chattra Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.25g, Sk 1583, obverse as previous type but without date, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta Chattra/Devasya in square with ornaments outside (RB. 216; KM. 143), toned very fine, extremely rare

£500-600

119 118

118

119

Tripura, Rama Manikya (1676-85), Tanka, 10.40g, Sk 1598, citing Queen Ratnavati, lion facing left, standard above, date below, within circle and border of circles with a bead in each, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta Rãma/Mãnikya Deva/Śrīmatī Ratnãva/tī Mahã Devyau in square with ornaments outside, lingam between Si and vah at top (RB. 218; KM. 155), very fine, rare

£200-300

Tripura, Rama Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.63g, Sk 1598, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, date below, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Rã/ma Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 219; KM. 153), very fine, rare

£100-150

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120 120 (x2) 120

Tripura, Ratna Manikya II (1685-93 & 1695-1712), Gold 1⁄16-Mohur, 0.66g, undated, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in two lines: Śrī Ra/tnasya within square with ornaments outside (RB. 220; KM. 162), very fine and of the highest rarity, possibly the only known example

121 121

122

£800-900

122

Tripura, Ratna Manikya II, Tanka, 10.43g, Sk 1607, citing Queen Satyavati, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, within a circle and border of circles with a bead in each, rev. in four lines: Kãlika Pade Śrī/Śrī Yuta Ratna Mãni/kya Deva Śrī Satya/vatī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside, lingam between Si and vah at top (RB. 222; KM. 167), very fine, some toning, rare

£200-250

Tripura, Ratna Manikya II, Tanka, 10.11g, Sk 1607, citing Queen Bhagyavati, obverse as previous lot, rev. in four lines: Kãlika Pade Śrī/Śrī Yuta Ratna Mãni/kya Deva Śrī Bhagya/vatī Mahã Devyau within square, lingam between traces of Si and vah at top (RB. 223; KM. 168), good very fine/very fine, with slight toning, very rare

£350-450

Coins citing Queen Bhaghyavati are much rarer than those citing Queen Satyavati.

124

123 123

124

124 (x1.5)

Tripura, Ratna Manikya II, Quarter-Tanka, 2.36g, Sk 1607, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, date below, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Ra/tna Devah in square with ornaments outside (RB. 224; KM. 164), very fine, some adhesions, rare

£100-120

Tripura, Ratna Manikya II, 1⁄16-Tanka, 0.63g, undated, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in two lines: Śrī Ra/tnasya within square and ornamental border (RB. 225; KM. 161), very fine, dark toning, rare

£80-100

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126 126 (x2)

125

125

Tripura, Narendra Manikya (1693-95), Tanka, 10.32g, Sk 1615, lion facing left, standard above, date to left and below, within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in four lines: Hari [lingam] Hara Pa/da Padma Madhup/Śrī Śrī Yuta Nare/ndra Mãnikya Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 227; KM. 178), about good very fine with some toning, extremely rare

£1,000-1,200

Narendra Manikya was a cousin of Ratna Manikya, and managed to usurp the throne briefly with the help of the Mughal Governor of Bengal. After a couple of years, the throne was restored to Ratna. The legends on his coins, which are very rarely met with, indicate that Narendra was a devotee of both Vishnu and Shiva.

126

Tripura, Mahendra Manikya (1712-14), 1⁄16-Tanka, 0.67g, undated, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in two lines: Śrī Ma/hendra within square with ornaments outside (RB. 233; KM. 184), toned very fine, extremely rare

127

127

128

Tripura, Dharma Manikya (1714-? & 1728-29), Tanka, 10.56g, Sk 1636, lion facing left, standard above, date below, within circle and border of circles with bead in each one, rev. in four lines: Śiva Durga Pa/dãbja Madhup/Śrī Śrī Yuta Dharma/Mãnikya Devah in square with ornaments outside; lingam at top (RB. 235; KM. 198), very fine, rare

£400-500

129

£200-250

Dharma Manikya’s reign seems to have been interrupted by the activities of one Jagat Manikya, a descendent of the earlier ruler, Chattra Manikya. Jagat enlisted the help of Muslim forces, the result of which was the permanent Muslim hold on Plains Tripura from then onwards. It is not clear whether Jagat ever ruled as king (no coins are known in his name) but around 1728, Dharma was restored to the throne for a brief period, most likely as a Mughal puppet.

128

129

Tripura, Dharma Manikya, Tanka, 10.39g, Sk 1636, citing Queen Dharmasila, lion facing left, standard above, date below, within circle and border of circles with bead in each one, rev. in four lines: Śiva Durga Pade/Śrī Śrī Yuta Dharma Mã/nikya Deva Śrī Dharmã/silã Mahã Devyau in square, lingam at top (RB. 236; KM. 199), very fine, rare

£150-250

Tripura, Dharma Manikya, Half-Tanka, 5.24g, Sk 1636, obverse as previous lot, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta/Dharma Mãni/kya Devasya in square with ornaments outside (RB. 238; KM. 197), very fine with dark toning, extremely rare

£400-500

At the time of publication of RB, only one example of this Half-Tanka was known.

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130 131 (x1.5) 130

131

Tripura, Dharma Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.52g, Sk 1636, obverse as previous lot, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Dha/rma Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 239; KM. 196), very fine, rare Tripura, Dharma Manikya, 1⁄16-Tanka and 1⁄32-Tanka, 0.65g, 0.29g, undated, obverse as previous lot, rev. (1⁄16th) in two lines Śrī Dha/rmasya; (1⁄32nd) in two lines Śrī Dha/rmah in square with arabesques outside (RB. 240, 241; KM. 194, 193), very fine, one toned, first rare, second extremely rare (2) The tiny one thirty-second of a tanka is the smallest of the Tripura coinage and is only known from this reign. When RB was written, only one example of the small coin was known.

£100-150

£300-400

132 132 (x1.5) 132

Tripura, Mukunda Manikya (c.1728-39), Tanka, 10.53g, Sk 1652, citing Queen Prabhabati, lion facing left, standard above date below and to right, within circle and border of circles with bead in each, rev. in five lines: Rãdha Krishna Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yuta Mu/kanda Mãnikya De/va Śrī Prabhãbatī/Mahã Devyau in square with ornaments outside, lingam at top (not in RB or KM), with edge defect as possible trace of mount, about very fine, of the highest rarity Mukunda was the brother of Dharma Manikya. When RB was published not a single coin of this ruler was known. Since then this coin has come to light and one other is known.

The ruler’s name is spelt “Mukanda” on the coin.

134

133 133

134

£1,500-2,000

Tripura, Jaya Manikya II (1739-44), Tanka, 10.58g, Sk 1661, citing Queen Jasovati, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, within circle and border of circles each with a bead, rev. in four lines: Hara Gaurī Pade/Śrī Śrī Yuta Jaya Mã/nikya Deva Śrī Jãso/vatī Mahã Devyau in square with ornaments outside, lingam at top between Śi and vah (RB. 242; KM. 209), about good very fine, very rare Mukunda Manikya was captured by Muslim forces and he subsequently commited suicide. He was succeeded by Jaya Manikya II, who is reported to have been a young soldier. Very few of his coins are known.

Tripura, Jaya Manikya II, Quarter-Tanka, 2.47g, Sk 1661, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, date below and to the right within circle and border of pellets, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Ja/ya Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 243; KM. 207), very fine, very rare 27

£300-400

£300-350

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135 135 (x1.5)

135

Tripura, Indra Manikya (1744-?), Tanka, 10.61g, Sk 1666, citing Queen Lakshmivati, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, within circle and border of circles each with a bead, rev. in four lines: Gopīnãth Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutendra Mãni/kya Śrī Lakshmī/vatī Mahã Devyau within square with ornaments outside, lingam at top between Śi and vah (RB. 245; KM. 219), good very fine with some toning, of the highest rarity

£1,500-2,000

Indra Manikya was the son of Mukunda Manikya and, with the help of the Nawab of Murshidabad, gained the throne from Jaya. The Tanka has an invocation to Gopinath, “The Lord of the Milkmaids”, i.e. Krishna. This is the only instance of this invocation in the whole Tripura series.

136

136 (x1.5) 137

136

137

Tripura, Indra Manikya, 1⁄16-Tanka, 0.66g, undated, lion facing left, crescent and bead above, within circle and border of pellets, rev. in two lines: Śrī I/ndrasya within square (RB. 247; KM. 215), toned very fine, extremely rare

£350-450

Tripura, Krishna Manikya (1760-61 & 1767-83), Tanka, 10.63g, Sk 1682, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, within circle and border of circles each with a bead, rev. in four lines: Śiva Durga/Pade Śrī Śrī/Yuta Krishna/Mãnikya Devah in square with ornaments outside, lingam at top (RB. 252; KM. 227), possible trace of mount on edge, very fine, very rare

£250-350

After a couple of years of rule, Indra Manikya was overthrown and replaced, around 1746, by Vijaya Manikya II of whom no coins are known. However, a Muslim rebel, Shamsher Ghazi, soon made himself ruler of the plains area of Tripura, then proceeded to plunder udaipur, the capital, and finally declared himself ruler of the whole of Tripura state. As the people refused to acknowledge him as king, he installed Lakshmana Manikya as a puppet ruler, but afterwards apparently ruled in his own name until captured by the Nawab of Murshidabad and executed. This allowed the return of the Tripura royal family in the form of Krishna Manikya who had taken refuge in Kachar. Soon after, in around 1761, there was a revenue collection dispute, which was referred to the Nawab. As he was by now under the control of the British, this resulted in the latter deciding to annex Tripura. This they did, although control remained nominally in the hands of the Nawab for the time being. The Nawab placed Balaram Manikya on the throne. He must have been ineffectual as the situation in the hills near the capital remained confused, until Krisha managed to regain the throne in 1767 with the help of the British Governor of Bengal.

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138 138

Tripura, Krisha Manikya, Rupee?, 11.32g, Sk 1582, error date for 1682, citing Queen Jahnavi, obverse as previous lot, rev. in five lines: Śiva durga/Pade Śrī Śrī/Yuta/Krishna Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Jãhna/vī Mahã Devyau, within square with ornaments outside, lingam at top (RB. 254; KM. 228), very fine with some toning, very rare

£350-450

The weight of this coin is very high, similar to that of a Rupee. error dates in the Tripura series are very unusual.

139 139

140

140

Tripura, Krishna Manikya, Half-Tanka, 5.33g, Sk 1682, obverse as previous lot, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Kri/shna Devah in square with ornaments outside (RB. 255; KM. 226), toned very fine, very rare

£350-450

Tripura, Krishna Manikya, Quarter-Tanka, 2.67g, Sk 1682, obverse as previous lot, rev. in three lines: Śrī Śrī Yu/ta [lingam] Kri/shna Devah in square with ornaments outside (RB. 256; KM. 225), very fine, very rare

£200-250

141 141

142

Tripura, Rajadhara Manikya II (1785-1806), Tanka, 10.74g, Sk 1707, lion facing left, standard above, date below and to the right, within circle and border of circles each with a bead, rev. in four lines: Śiva Durga Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yuta/Rajadhara Mã/nikya Devah within square with ornaments outside (RB. 261; KM. 259), toned good very fine, very rare

£300-350

This rare issue probably was not meant for circulation as the small number of known specimens are in very nice condition.

142

Tripura, Rama Ganga Manikya (first reign 1806-08), Tanka, 10.33g, Sk 1728, citing Queen Tara, lion facing left, trident on back, cross left and right, date below, within circle and border of circles with large beads, rev. in five lines: Śiva Durga Pade/Śrī Śrī Yuta Rãma/Ganga Mãnikya/Deva Śrīmati Tã/rã Mahã Devyau within square with arabesques outside (RB. 261; KM. 259), very fine, some toning, very rare Rama Ganga’s first reign was beset with succession disputes and, after a couple of years, the British recognised another contender for the throne, Durga Manikya, as the rightful ruler.

29

£400-500

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143

143 (x1.5) 143

Tripura, Durga Manikya (1809-13), gold Mohur, 10.89g, Sk 1731, citing Queen Sumitra, lion facing left, trident on back, cross left and right, date below, within border of double circle with groups of four beads arranged lozenge-shaped between the circles; rev. in five lines: Kãlī Pade/Śrī Śrī Yuta Durga/Mãnikya Deva Śrī/mati Sumitrã/Mahã Devyau within circle of beads (RB. 263; KM. 280), superb extremely fine, of the highest rarity

£5,000-6,000

This issue was probably struck for presentation to British officers at the ruler’s coronation ceremony. The legend is unusual for including an invocation to Kali.

144

144 (x1.5)

144

Tripura, Durga Manikya, Tanka, 10.71g, Sk 1731, citing Queen Sumitra, legends as previous lot and struck from the same dies (RB. 264; KM. 275), good very fine with some toning, very rare

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£400-500

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145 145

Tripura, Rama Ganga Manikya (second reign 1815-26), Tanka, 10.48g, Sk 1743, citing Queen Chandra Tara, lion facing left, trident on back, date below, within border of two circles with lattice design between them; rev. in five lines: Śiva Durga Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yuta Rãma/Ganga Mãnikya Deva/Śrī Śrīmati Chandra Tã/rã Mahã Devyau, lozenge-shaped pellets at top and bottom, all within circle (RB. 266; KM. 290), extremely fine, very rare

£600-800

This and subsequent issues were only struck as presentation pieces and not for circulation.

RB includes an interesting witness account of the striking of these coins at the formal installation ceremony of the ruler.

146

146 (x1.5) 146

Tripura, Kasi Chandra Manikya (1826-30), gold Mohur, 10.44g, Sk 1748, citing Queen Kirti Lakshmi, lion facing left, trident on back, date to left and below within circular border of pointed arches with three verticle lines in each, rev. in five lines: Śiva Durga Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yuta Kãsi/Chandra Mãnikya Deva/Śrī Śrīmati Kirti La/kshmī Mahã Devyau, two crosses of lozenge-shaped pellets below, all within beaded circle (RB. 267; KM. 308), about extremely fine but somewhat weakly struck, of the utmost rarity

£5,000-6,000

Very few coins are known of this ruler and there are none in the British Museum, where one would expect to find an example if any had been presented to British officers.

147 147

Tripura, Kasi Chandra Manikya, Tanka, 10.38g, Sk 1748, citing Queen Kirti Lakshmi, as previous lot, struck from the same dies (RB. 268; KM. 306), with some slight surface marking on the obverse, about good very fine, extremely rare 31

£800-1,000

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148

148 (x1.5) 148

Tripura, Krishna Kishora Manikya (1830-50), gold Mohur, 10.50g, Sk 1752, citing Queen Sudakshina, lion facing left, trident on back, date on three sides around lion, all within circular border of pointed arches with three verticle lines in each, rev. in five lines: Rãdha Krishna Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yutã Krishna/Kishora Mãnikya De/va Śrī Śrīmati Suda/kshinã Mahã Devyau arabesque above, triangles of beads below, all within circle of beads (RB. 272; KM. 325), with a possible small trace of a mount on the edge, good very fine, of the highest rarity

£5,000-6,000

149 149

Tripura, Krishna Kishora Manikya, Tanka, 10.24g, Sk 1752, citing Queen Ratna Mala, obverse as previous lot, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yutã Krishna/Kishora Mãnikya De/va Śrī Śrīmati Ratna Mã/lã Mahã Devyau, small arabesque above and below all within circle of beads (RB. 273; KM. 318), very fine with some discolouration, very rare

£400-500

150 150

Tripura, Krishna Kishora Manikya, Tanka, 10.72g, Sk 1752, citing Queen Purnakala, obverse as previous lot, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yutã Krishna/Kishora Mãnikya De/va Śrī Śrīmati Ratna Purnaka/lã Mahã Devyau, small arabesque above and below, all within circle of beads (RB. 276; KM. 317), toned very fine, of the highest rarity Krishna Kishora Manikya struck coins naming no fewer than six of his queens.

Those citing Queen Ratna Mala are the least rare while those citing the other queens are all extremely rare.

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£800-1,000

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151

151 (x1.5)

151

Tripura, Ishana Chandra Manikya (1850-62), gold Mohur, 10.67g, Sk 1771, citing Queen Chandresvari, lion facing left, trident on back, date on three sides around lion, all within circular border of pointed arches with five verticle lines in each, rev. in six lines: Rãdhã Krishna/Pade Śrī Śrī Yutã I/shãna Chandra Mãnikya/Deva Śrī Śrīmati/Chandreśvarī Mahã/Devyau, arabesque at top, all within circle of beads (RB. 279; KM. 342), about extremely fine, trace of mount, extremely rare

152

152

153

£4,000-6,000

153

Tripura, Ishana Chandra Manikya, Tanka, 10.50g, Sk 1771, citing Queen Raja Lakshmi, obverse as previous lot, rev. in six lines: Radha Krishna Pa/de Śrī Śrī Yutã I/shãna Chandra Mãnikya De/va Śrī Śrīmati Rã/jalakshmī Mahã/Devyau, arabesque at top, all within circle of beads (RB. 281; KM. 337), nice very fine with some toning, very rare

£500-600

Tripura, Vira Chandra Manikya (1862-96), Tanka, 10.43g, Sk 1791, citing Queen Rajesvari, lion facing left, trident on back, date on three sides around lion, all within circular border of pointed arches with five verticle lines in each, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutã Vīra Chandra/Mãnikya Deva Śrī Śrī/mati Rãjeśvarī Mahã/Devyau, arabesque at top, all within circle of beads (RB. 287; KM. 357), nice very fine with some toning, extremely rare

£600-800

The initial issues of Vira Chandra Manikya, which are known with the names of two queens, were hand-struck. After the appointment of a British resident in Agartala, which had become the capital during the reign of Krishna Manikya, machine-struck coins, dated in the Bengali era, and apparently struck in the uK, were issued. It is clear, however, that these coins were not intended for circulation, as only British Indian coinage is reported to have been in use within the state.

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154 (x1.5)

154

155

155 (x1.5)

Tripura, Vira Chandra Manikya, machine-struck gold Mohur, 10.17g, Te 1279, citing Queen Manomohini, coat of arms of Tripura, date above, within ornate border, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutã Vīra Chandra/Mãnikya Deva Varmma/Śrī Śrīmati Manomohinī/Mahã Devi within beaded border (RB. 288; KM. 363), with trace of mount, very fine, extremely rare

£4,000-6,000

Tripura, Vira Chandra Manikya, machine-struck Tanka, 10.00g, Te 1279, citing Queen Bhanumati, obverse as previous lot, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutã Vīra Chandra/Mãnikya Deva Varmma/Śrī Śrīmati Bhãnumatī/Mahã Devi within beaded border (RB. 289; KM. 355), good very fine with some toning, extremely rare

£800-1,000

156 (x1.5)

156

157

157 (x1.5)

Tripura, Vira Chandra Manikya, machine-struck Tanka, 10.04g, Te 1279, citing Queen Rajesvari, obverse as previous lot, rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutã Vīra Chandra/Mãnikya Deva Varmma/Śrī Śrīmati Rãjeśvarī/Mahã Devi within beaded border (RB. 291; KM. 358), extremely fine, extremely rare

£800-1,000

Tripura, Radha Kishora Deb Barman Manikya (1897-1909), machine-struck Rupee, 11.59g, Te 1306, citing Queen Ratna Manjari, coat of arms of Tripura, date above, within ornate border; rev. in five lines: Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Śrī Śrī Yutã Rãdhã Kishora/Deb Barmma Mãnikya/Śrī Śrīmati Ratna Manjarī/Mahã Devyau within beaded border (RB. 297; KM. 375), slight toning/adhesions, couple of edge knocks, about extremely fine, extremely rare

£600-800

It is interesting to note that most of the silver coins of this reign were struck on the Rupee standard, though some light-weight coins are also known. extremely rare half and double Rupees are also known.

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158 158

159

Tripura, Vira Vikrama Kishora Deb Barman (1923-47), machine-struck Rupee, 11.35g, Te 1337, without name of any queen, bust of Maharaja with legend around: Pancha Śrī Mahãrãja Mãnikya Vīra Vikrama Kishora Deb Barman Bãhãdur; rev. lion rampant to left, with trident issuing from its back, Tripura Rajya above, date below, all within decorative border, milled edge (RB. 302; KM. 406), good very fine with a little discolouration, scarce

£100-150

The rupees of this reign are somewhat debased and much less rare than previous issues.

It is possible that some of them may have been used in circulation, although unofficially.

159

Tripura, Vira Vikrama Kishora Deb Barman, machine-struck Rupee, 11.39g, Te 1341, citing Queen Kanchan Prabha, obv. in six lines; Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Panch Śrī Yukta Mahãrãja/Vīra Vikrama Kishora/Mãnikya Śrī Śrīmati Mahãrãnī/Kanchan Prabhã Mahã devī; rev. lion rampant to left, trident issuing from back, date below, all within decorative border (RB. 305; KM. 409), very fine, scarce

161

160

160

£80-100

Tripura, Vira Vikrama Kishora Deb Barman, machine-struck Rupee, 11.57g, Te 1341, citing Queen Kirtimani, legend in six lines; Rãdhã Krishna Pade/Panch Śrī Yukta Mahãrãja/Vīra Vikrama Kishora/Mãnikya Śrī Śrīmati Mahãrãnī/Kirtimani Mahã devi; rev. as previous lot (RB. 306; KM. 408), good very fine with some dark toning, very rare

£400-500

Rupees in the name of Queen Kirtimani are very much rarer than those in the name of Queen Kanchan Prabha 161

Tripura/Chittagong, Tanka, 9.78g, in the name of Sikandar Shah countermarked with a lion’s head, probably in Tripura, countermark and coin very fine, very rare Sikandar Shah was the Arabic name of the Arakanese ruler, Min Palaung, who ruled from AH 980 to 1003 (AD 1571-93). The host coin is a variant of G&G. B1014. In JONS 203 (2010), Nicholas Rhodes illustrates this and five other coins then known with the same countermark. He then goes on to postulate various possible reasons for the countermark, concluding that it was most likely applied by the Tripura authorities to validate the coins for export.

35

£200-300

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COOCH BEHAR It was in the early 16th century that some Koch tribals established control over the area of the old Hindu kingdom of Kamata, which had been destroyed by Husain Shah of Bengal in the 1490s. As the area had previously been predominantly Hindu for centuries, the new rulers were an obvious target for conversion to Brahminism. Coins were first struck by King Nara Narayana in Śaka 1477 (AD 1555), and there is some uncertainty as to whether this represented the accession year of the king, or the date of his first installation by the Brahmins as a Hinduised king.

The coins of Cooch Behar are of similar weight and fabric to those of Tripura, since both copied the coins of the Bengal Sultans, rather than because of any connection between the two states. They are of a standard type, with Sanskrit legends on both sides. On one side are religious invocations, while the name of the king appears on the other, with no reference to a queen. One interesting aspect of the legends is the letter forms, some of which show Bengali influence, while others show Maithili influence. This reflects the fact that some of the Brahmins at court were of Maithili origin, having travelled eastwards from Bihar.

The coins of Cooch Behar were struck in large numbers, and a strong motivation behind their issue was trade. During the 16th century, much of the trade between India and Tibet passed through Cooch Behar, across the Himalayas through Bhutan. The Tibetans exchanged items such as wool, gold and silks from China, for goods from India, including silver. Rather than permitting the free transit of silver through their kingdom, a simple way of profiting from this transit trade was to prohibit the export of silver, other than in the form of coins of Cooch Behar itself. Other Indian silver coins and bullion had to be brought to the mint in Cooch Behar, and the king profited from the charges he levied for minting. The extent of this trade at various times can be judged from the output of the mint in Cooch Behar. Since coins are particularly common in the second half of the 16th century, the Tibet trade was particularly buoyant at that time.

Another source of silver for the coinage during the 16th century was the military campaign conducted by Nara Narayan and his brother Silarai, during the years AD 1562-4. They led an army around the north-east, defeating all the newly formed Hinduised kingdoms in the region, including Tripura, demanding tribute in silver and gold. These conquests were short-lived, as the Cooch army was finally defeated by a Muslim army, but they did leave some mark on the coinage of the region, if only in emphasising the use of coin as settlement of tribute.

In AD 1661, the Mughal general under Aurangzeb, Mir Jumla, invaded Assam, and conquered Cooch Behar on the way. Interestingly, he immediately struck coins of Cooch Behar fabric, with legend in proto-Bengali script, but in the urdu language. These coins bear the name of Aurangzeb, and the mint name ‘Alamgirnagar, as Cooch Behar was renamed after the conquest. This was the only time that a Mughal emperor ever agreed to have his name written on a coin in any script other than Arabic (lot 222). Mir Jumla’s expedition was ultimately unsuccessful, so as soon as the army withdrew, the mint reverted to striking coins in the name of the Cooch king.

After the mid 17th century, most trade between India and Tibet passed through Nepal, so the role of the Cooch Behar coins changed. They became the main circulating medium throughout the region, including Bhutan, western Assam, and the Rangpur district of Bengal. The ruler of Cooch Behar was able to benefit financially from the commercial success of his coins, which only ceased when the British closed his mint at the end of the 18th century.

Since the Cooch Behar coins passed through Bhutan along the trade route to Tibet, the Bhutanese began to use them for their own purposes. Although monetisation in Bhutan was very limited, they were used as religious and other donations in the Buddhist kingdom. After the closure of the mint in Cooch Behar, some of the mint workers moved to Bhutan, and close copies of the Cooch Behar coins were struck in Bhutan throughout the 19th century with various degrees of debasement. The British tried to prevent the export of such coins from Bhutan during the first half of the 19th century, not always successfully, and it was only after the 1840s, that Britain successfully removed the Cooch Behar coins, by this time called Narainy Rupees, from circulation in Indian territory.

While most Cooch Behar coins are quite common, there are some rare issues. In this auction, for example, one can single out the fractional Tankas of Nara Narayan (lots 176 & 177), rare types of Lakshmi Narayan (lots 188 & 189), the Tanka of Parikshit Narayan (lot 209), the Half-Tanka of Vira Narayan (lot 212) and the gold Tanka of Narendra Narayan (lot 233). The late machine-struck coins in silver and gold are also very popular (see lots 234-236). Also worthy of note are the two very rare coins attributed to the Kings of Khyriem (lots 238 & 239)

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162 162

163

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan (1487-1555), Tanka, 10.41g, Sk 1477, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasy, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nã/rãyana Bhupãla/sya Śãke/1477, both sides within circle and border of beads (RB. 1; KM. 34), extremely fine

£40-60

KM. does not distinguish between RB. 1, RB. 2 or RB. 3. The illustration is of RB. 3.

All types from RB. 1 to RB. 8 have separated letters, i.e. they are not joined together by a horizontal line at the top of the letters.

163

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.44g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB.1; KM. 34), good very fine

164 164

165

166

167

£40-60

165

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.43g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB.1; KM. 34), a couple of edge defects, extremely fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.34g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB.1; KM. 34), good very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tankas (3), 10.43, 10.46, 10.50g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB.1; KM. 34), good very fine (3)

£100-120

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tankas (3), 10.42, 10.51, 10.52g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB.1; KM. 34), good very fine (3)

£100-120

168 169 168

169

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.55g, Sk 1477, as previous lots but thin line above date (RB.2; KM. 34), nice very fine, scarce variety

£60-80

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.31g, Sk 1477, similar to previous lots but Śi, ra, na in 2nd line of obverse in Nagari (RB.3; KM. 34), nice very fine

£40-60

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170 170

171

171

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.53g, Sk 1477, as previous lot with Śi, ra, na in 2nd line of obverse in Nagari (RB.3; KM. 34), about extremely fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.38g, Sk 1477, as previous lot with Śi, ra, na in 2nd line of obverse in Nagari (RB.3; KM. 34), very fine

£40-60

172 172

173

173

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.00g, Sk 1477, as previous lot with Śi, ra, na in 2nd line of obverse in Nagari (RB.3; KM. 34), very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.45g, Sk 1477, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya within circle and ornamental border. Śi, ra, in 2nd line, ra, sya in 4th line in Nagari, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nã/rãyana Bhupãla/sya Śãke/1477 within circle and ornamental border (RB.4; KM. -), good very fine, rare

£100-150

This type with its decorative border, similar to certain Bengal tankas of the Husaini dynasty, is rarely encountered.

176 174 174

175

176

175

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.34g, Sk 1477, as previous lot but both sides within usual outer border of beads (RB. 5; KM. 34), very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 10.39g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB. 5; KM. 34), very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Half-Tanka, 5.28g, Sk 1477, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya within circle and border of beads (where visible), rev. in 5 lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nã/rãyana Bhupãla/sya Śãke/1477 (RB. 6; KM. -), very fine, very rare

£200-300

Fractional tankas of Nara Narayan are very rare and seldom seen.

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177 178 177

178

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Quarter-Tanka, 2.64g, date off flan, partial legend in four lines: (Śrī Śrī/Śi)va Charana/(Ka)mala Madhu/Karasya, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nã(/rã)yana Bhupãla/sya Śã(ke/1477) (RB.8; KM. 30), good very fine, very rare

£200-300

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, broad-flan, Tanka, 34mm, 10.33g, Sk 1477, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nã/rãyana Bhupãla/sya Śãke/1477 both sides within circle and border of beads; legends in Nagari (RB. 13; KM. 35), good very fine

£50-70

179 179

180

180

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, broad-flan Tanka, 35mm, 10.19g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB. 13; KM. 35), very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, broad-flan Tanka, 35mm, 9.62g, Sk 1477, similar to previous type but reverse legend in four lines without Bhupalasya, thus: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nãrã/yanasya Śãke/1477 Nagari legends (RB. 13a; KM. -), very fine, scarce variety

£60-80

181 181

182

182

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, broad-flan Tanka, 36mm, 10.25g, Sk 1477, legend in archaic Bengali script in 4 lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya within circle and border of beads, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī/man Nara Nãrã/yanasya Śãke/1477 within circle and border of beads, legend in Bengali script (RB. 15; KM. -), good very fine, scarce variety, very attractive coin

£60-80

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, broad-flan Tanka, 35mm, 10.00g, Sk 1477, as previous type but reverse legend in Nagari script, this variety not in RB, very fine and rare

£100-120

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183 183

184

184

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 32mm, 10.21g, Sk 1477, similar to previous type but reverse in Bengali script and struck on smaller flan (RB. 16; similar to KM. 36 but without star), pleasing very fine

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 32mm, 10.20g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB. 16; similar to KM. 36 but without star), good very fine and attractive

£50-70

185 185

186

187

186

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 34mm, 10.08g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB. 16; similar to KM. 36 but without star), very fine

£40-50

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tanka, 34mm, 10.08g, Sk 1477, as previous lot (RB. 16; similar to KM. 36 but without star), very fine

£40-50

Cooch Behar, Nara Narayan, Tankas (3), 28, 28, 30mm, 10.07, 10.30, 10.11g, Sk 1477, as previous lot but all with a star at the end of the first line of the reverse (RB. 16; KM. 36), very fine to good very fine (3)

£100-120

188 188

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan (1587-1627), Tanka, 26mm, 10.10g, Sk 1509, legends in four lines on both sides: obv.: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrīma/n Lakshmi Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1509, both sides within ornamental border of cusped arcs, 13 on the obverse and 14 on the reverse (RB. 18; KM. -), good very fine and extremely rare Lakshmi Narayan was the son of Nara Narayan. He was a rather weak ruler who, around 1596, declared himself a vassal of the Mughals, much to the disgust of his subjects.

This led to unrest in the state; he went to the Mughal governor in Dacca, where he was detained for 4 years. His coins follow the pattern of his father, except that far more HalfTankas were struck. The present coin is one of only four known specimens with this particular type of decorative border. All four coins differ in the number of arches in the borders. See article by Rhodes in JONS 196 (2008) “Some rare coins of Lakshminarayana of Cooch Behar”.

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£250-300

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189 189

190

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 28mm, 10.11g, Sk 1509, legends as for the previous type but each side contained within a plain square (RB.17; KM. -), very fine, extremely rare

£300-400

According to the Rhodes article mentioned above, only two examples of this type are known, the other being in a private collection in Dacca.

190

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 10.19g, Sk 1509, legends as for previous types but each side contained within a double circle with beads within, three beads at end of first line of obverse (RB. 19; KM. 44), good very fine, slight toning

£40-50

This is the first of the standard types of Lakshmi Narayan. There are variations in the presence or absence of beads at the end of the first line of the obverse, a distinction made

by RB but not by KM.

191 191

192

192

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 10.09g, Sk 1509, as previous lot (RB. 19; KM. 44), very fine, slight toning

£40-50

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 10.09g, Sk 1509, as previous lot but only one bead at end of first line of obverse (RB. 19a; KM. 44), very fine

£40-50

193 193

194

194

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 9.69g, Sk 1509, as previous lot but three beads at end of first line of obverse, and Nãraya with short ‘a’ (RB. 20; KM. 44), about good very fine, a scarce variety

£50-70

Cooch Behar, Lakmshi Narayan, Tanka, 33mm, 9.62g, Sk 1509, as previous lot but both na and ra of Naraya with short ‘a’ (RB. 21; KM. 44), good very fine with some toning, a very scarce variety

£60-80

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195 195

196

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 10.12g, Sk 1509, year 98 of Cooch Behar era, legend in 4 lines: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, three beads at end of 1st line, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrīma/n Lakshmi Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1509/98 both sides within double circle and border of beads (RB. 22; KM. 45), good very fine

£40-60

CB98 = AD 1608 and probably represents the actual date of issue of this type, the other date remaining as the accession date. The significance of the date is not known.

196

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 10.22g, Sk 1509, year 98 of Cooch Behar era, as previous lot (RB. 22; KM. 45), good very fine

£40-60

197 197

198

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tankas (3), 30mm, 10.09, 10.14, 10.13g, Sk 1509, year 98 of Cooch Behar era, as previous lot (RB. 22; KM. 45), pleasing very fine (3)

£100-120

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Tankas (3), 30mm, 10.09, 10.14, 10.13g, Sk 1509, year 98 of Cooch Behar era, as previous lot (RB. 22; KM. 45), pleasing very fine (3)

£100-120

199 199

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Half-Tanka, 22mm, 4.94g, Sk 1509, struck from specially made dies, legends in four lines on both sides, obv. Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/man Lakshmi Nãrã/yanasya Śãke/1509, both sides within double circle and border of beads (RB. 23; KM. -), ‘bump’ near bottom of obverse which may be a die defect or the remains of a mount, very fine, very rare WWW.SpinK.Com

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£200-300

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200

200

201

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Half-Tanka, 22mm, 4.91g, Sk 1509, similar to previous lot but struck from Tanka dies, so that not all the legend and little of the border is visible (RB. 24; KM. 41), very fine, scarce

£50-70

Whereas the Half-Tankas of Nara Narayan are very rare, those of Lakshmi Narayan, apart from the ones struck from special dies, are more common, especially those with the additional year in the Cooch Behar era (see next lot).

201

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Half-Tanka, 21mm, 4.44g, Sk 1509, year 98 of Cooch Behar era (partly visible), as previous lot but with the addition of the CB era year, again struck from Tanka dies (RB. 25; KM. 42), about very fine, scarce

203

202

202

203

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Half-Tanka, 21mm, 4.68g, Sk 1509, year 98, as previous lot with CB year fully visible (RB. 25; KM. 42), about very fine, scarce

£50-70

Cooch Behar, Lakshmi Narayan, Half-Tanka, 22mm, 4.93g, Sk 1509, year 98, as previous lot with CB year mostly visible (RB. 25; KM. 42), very fine, scarce

£50-70

205

204 204

£40-60

Cooch Behar, Raghudeva Narayan (1588-1603 in the eastern kingdom), broad-flan Tanka, 33mm, 10.32g, Sk 1510, legends in five lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī/Hara Gaurī/Charana Kama/la Madhu Ka/rasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Raghudeva Nã/rãyanasya Bhupã/lasya Śãke/1510, bead with three rays at end of first line; both sides within double circle and border of beads (RB. 30; KM. 52), good very fine, rare

£150-250

During the reign of Nara Narayan, from 1581, Raghudeva had governed the eastern part of the kingdom as his vassal. Once Lakshmi Narayan had succeeded to the throne, Raghudeva declared his full independence and struck coins dated Sk 1510 (AD 1588).

He was opposed to Lakshmi Narayan’s submissive policy towards the Mughals and, as a result, had to contend with various Mughal campaigns to bring him to heel.

205

Cooch Behar, Raghudeva Narayan, broad-flan Tanka, 31mm, 10.38g, Sk 1510, as previous lot (RB. 30; KM. 52), good very fine, slight toning, rare 43

£150-200

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206 206

207

207

Cooch Behar, Raghudeva Narayan, Tanka, 29mm, 10.31g, Sk 1510, as previous lot but no bead with three rays at the end of the first line of the reverse (RB. 30a; KM. 52), nice very fine, rare

£150-250

Cooch Behar, Raghudeva Narayan, Tanka, 29mm, 9.97g, Sk 1510, as previous lot, again without bead with three rays at the end of the first line of the reverse (RB. 30a; KM. 52), shroff-mark on edge, very fine, rare

£150-250

208 208

209

Cooch Behar, Raghudeva Narayan, Tanka, 28mm, 9.31g, Sk 1510, as previous lot, but with different symbol at the end of the first line of the reverse (RB. 30a var.; KM. 52), very fine, rare

£150-250

This particular variety is not listed in RB and must have been obtained after the book was published in 1999. It is interesting to note the reduction in weight of the tankas from this reign onwards, all now weighing less than 10g.

209

Cooch Behar, Parikshit Narayan (1603-13 in the eastern kingdom), Tanka, 30mm, 9.04g, Sk 1525, legends in five lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī/Hara Gaurī/Charana kama/la madhu ka/rasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Parīkshit Nã/rãyana Bhupã/lasya Śãke/1525, both sides within double circle and border of beads (RB. 32; KM. 59), very fine with slight toning, extremely rare

£300-400

Parikshit succeeded his father, Raghu Deva, in the eastern kingdom and spent most of his reign fighting the Mughals, submitting finally in 1613. The small number of his coins known to RB were struck from the same dies, implying that the striking was limited to his installation ceremony.

210 210

Cooch Behar, Vira Narayan (1627-33), Tanka, 30mm, 9.44g, Sk 1548, year 118, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Krishna Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya; rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrīma/d Vira Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1547/118, both sides within a double circle and border of beads (RB. 33; KM. 66), very fine, rare Vira Narayan (Bir Narayan) was the son of Lakshmi Narayan. Not many of his coins are known. The legends are the only ones in the Cooch Behar series that have an invocation to Krishna, rather than Shiva and Parvati (Hara Gauri). They continue the practice of having not only the Saka year but also the Cooch Behar era year.

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£200-300

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212 211 211

212

Cooch Behar, Vira Narayan, Tanka, 30mm, 9.97g, Sk 1548, year 118, as previous lot (RB33. KM. 66), good very fine

£200-300

Cooch Behar, Vira Narayan, Half-Tanka, 21mm, 4.75g, Sk 1548, year 118 (partly visible), struck from Tanka dies, legends as previous lots of Vira Narayan (RB. 34; KM. 64, plate specimen), very fine with some toning, very rare

£250-350

Only one such Half-Tanka is noted in RB.

213 213

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan (1633-65), Tanka, 31mm, 9.70g, Sk 1554, legends in four lines on both sides: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrīma/t Prãna Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1554, both sides within double circle and border of beads; “4” of date reversed (RB. 37; KM. 74), slight adhesions, good very fine, rare

£200-300

Prana Narayan’s coins do not follow the previous tradition of having fixed dates but have the date of striking, initially in Saka years and then in Rajsaka (Cooch Behar era) years.

The full Tankas of Prana Narayan are the last in the Cooch Behar series. They were soon superseded by the Half-Tankas, which became the staple coinage from then onwards.

Those of Prana Narayan are relatively common, much more so than the full Tankas, which are quite rare. It is noteworthy that it was during this reign that the Ahoms in Assam began to strike coins. Trade must have been flourishing in the area at the time.

214

214

215

215

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Tanka, 27mm, 7.97g, Sk 1554, as previous lot but “4” of date engraved normally (RB. 36; KM. 74), toned very fine, rare

£150-250

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 9.78g, as previous lot but dated Sk 1555 (RB. 38; KM. 74), nice very fine, very scarce

£150-250

This is the last of the Cooch Behar issues bearing a Saka era date.

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216 216

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Tanka, 29mm, 9.52g, Sk 1555, as previous lot (RB. 38; KM. 74), a couple of flan cracks near edge, good very fine, very scarce

217 217

218

218

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 9.70g, as previous lot but dated year 130 in the Cooch Behar era (RB. 39; KM. 75), toned good very fine, rare

£200-300

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Tanka, 31mm, 8.70g, as previous lot but dated year 140 in the Cooch Behar era (RB. 40; KM. 75), good very fine, slight toning, rare

£200-300

219 219

220

£150-250

220

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Half-Tanka, 4.78g, Sk 1555, struck from Tanka dies, legends as previous lots but part off-flan (RB. 42; KM. -), very fine

£40-50

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Half-Tanka, 4.77g, Sk 1555, struck from Tanka dies, legends as previous lot (RB. 42; KM. -), very fine, weak area

£40-50

221 221

Cooch Behar, Prana Narayan, Half-Tankas (2), 4.64, 4.90g, Sk 1555, struck from Tanka dies, legends as previous lot (RB. 42; KM. -), very fine (2) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£70-80

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222 222 (x1.5)

222

Cooch Behar/Mughal, Aurangzeb (1661-63 in Cooch Behar), Half-Tanka, 4.88g, dated year 4 of Aurangzeb’s reign, mint of ‘Alamgirnagar, legends in four lines on both sides, Aora/ngajeva Vã/dasaha Ala/mgira, cross under va, rev.

Jarava/Alamgi/rnagara/Sana 4 (RB. 55; KM. 85), good very fine, extremely rare

£1,000-1,500

Mughal forces under Mir Jumla invaded Cooch Behar in 1661 and stayed there until 1663. During that period, Prana Narayan fled to Bhutan. Mir Jumla made the city of Cooch Behar his base and changed its name to ‘Alamgirnagar. He also issued coins in the name of the Mughal emperor on the local standard and in the local script but using the Persian language. This particular coin is particularly important in having a clear regnal year pertaining to Aurangzeb. The Mughal invasion ended up as a disaster, with many not making it back. This issue, which fits into both the Cooch Behar and Mughal series, is extremely rare, especially with date visible.

Back in the 1980s some rupee-size coins of similar type appeared on the market.

They originated from Pakistan and were all modern concoctions. No genuine Rupee coins are known for this issue.

Although Cooch Behar coins continued to be struck on the same weight standard, those from the Mughal period onwards, especially during the period of British influence, tend to be referred to as Half-Rupees or even Narayani Rupees, rather than Half-Tankas. From here on, therefore, they are called Half-Rupees even though there is no metrological reason for doing so.

223

223

Cooch Behar, Mada Narayan (1663-81), Half-Rupees (3), 4.80, 4.82, 4.72g, legends on both sides in four lines but only partially visible, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrīma/t Mada Nãrã/yanasya Śãke/… (RB. 59; KM. 91), very fine (3)

£60-80

The coins of Mada Narayan sometimes show part of a date but as the flans are much smaller than the dies, most coins do not show any date.

224

Cooch Behar, Mada Narayan, Half-Rupees (3), 4.84, 4.83, 4.85g, as previous lot (RB. 59; KM. 91), very fine (3)

47

£60-80

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225 225

226

227

228

229

230

Cooch Behar, Vasudeva Narayan (1681-83), Half-Rupee, 4.78g, legends in four lines on both sides only partially visible, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrīma/t Vasudeva Nãrã/yanasya Śãke/… (RB. 60; KM. 97), very fine, extremely rare RB state that the coins of this ruler are among the rarest of the whole Cooch Behar series.

Vasudeva’s reign was short; his accession was disputed by a rival who sought the help of the Bhutanese. The latter invaded and sacked the city before retreating back to their homeland.

Cooch Behar, Rupa Narayan (1695-1715), Half-Rupee, 4.83g, Upendra Narayan (1715-63), Half-Rupee, 4.62g, Devendra Manikya (1763-65), Half-Rupee, 4.66g, legends as previous lots but with the name of the respective ruler in each case (RB. 62, 63, 64; KM. 109, 115, 121), very fine (3)

£50-60

Cooch Behar, Upendra Narayan, Half-Rupee, 4.66g, Devendra Narayan, Half-Rupee, 4.70g, Dhaiyendra Narayan (1765-70 & 1775-83), Half-Rupee, 4.62g, legends as previous lots but with the name of the respective ruler in each case (RB. 63, 64, 65; KM. 115, 121, 127), very fine (3)

£50-60

Cooch Behar, Upendra Narayan, Half-Rupee, 4.70g, Dhaiyendra Narayan, Half-Rupee, 4.63g, Rajendra Narayan (1770-72), Half-Rupee, 4.68g, legends as previous lots but with the name of the respective ruler in each case (RB. 63, 65, 66; KM. 115, 127, 133), very fine (3)

£50-60

Cooch Behar, Rajendra Narayan, Half-Rupee, 4.56g, Dharendra Narayan (1772-75) or Harendra Narayan (1783-1839), Half-Rupees (2), 4.63, 4.34g, legends as previous lots but with the name of the respective ruler in each case (RB. 66, 68; KM. 133, 141), very fine (3) It is not possible to distinguish between the coins of Dharendra Narayan and Harendra Narayan as the first letter of their names is never visible on the coins.

Cooch Behar, Dharendra or Harendra Narayan, Half-Rupees (3), 4.62, 4.47, 4.45g (RB. 68; KM. 141), very fine (3)

231 231

232

£40-50

£35-40

232

Cooch Behar, Dharendra or Harendra Narayan, Quarter-Rupee, 2.25g, only part of the legends visible, not in RB or KM, very fine and presumably very rare There are no other Quarter-Rupees of this period in the collection.

As a result of a treaty signed in 1774 after the then ruler had sought British help against a rival and the Bhutanese, Cooch Behar had become a tributory of the British. The latter subequently made various attempts to get the state and its inhabitants to accept Company currency, but in vain. As a result they closed the mint from 1789 to about 1795 and then again in 1800. It was permanently closed at the end of 1845.

Cooch Behar, Shivendra Narayan (1839-47), presentation Half-Rupee, 4.39g, fourline legends on both sides partially visible, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Shivendra/Nãrãyana/Bhup (RB. 71; KM. 151), good very fine, some toning, rare Any Cooch Behar coins struck from this reign onwards were for presentation purposes, presumably to British officers at the time of the installation of the ruler. Most of the examples cited in RB are in British museums.

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£250-300

£100-150

£200-300

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233 233 (x1.5) 233

Cooch Behar, Narendra Narayan (1847-63), presentation gold Mohur, 9.18g, fourline legends on both sides partially visible, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Narendra Nã/rãyana/Bhupasya (RB. 72; KM. 170), good very fine, extremely rare

£1,500-2,000

Two specimens of this issue are in the British Museum; apart from the present coin, the cataloguer knows of one other.

234 234 (x1.5) 234

Cooch Behar, Nripendra Narayan (1863-1911), machine-struck presentation HalfRupee, 4.29g, year 354, crude version of Śrī Śrī/Śiva Charana/Kamala Madhu/Karasya in square, with arabesques around, rev. Śrī Śrī/Nripendra Nãrãyana/Bhup/San 354 Sake (RB. 75; KM. 180), toned extremely fine, rare

£400-500

235 235 (x1.5)

235

Cooch Behar, Raja Rajindra Narayan (1911-13), machine-struck presentation HalfRupee, 4.73g, year 402, arms of the state supported by lion and elephant, GRISH at bottom; rev. Śrī Śrī/Rãja Rãjendra Nãrãyana/Bhup/San 402 Sake (RB. 77; KM. 195), extremely fine with slight toning, rare Grish was the name of the Calcutta gold and silversmith company that made the coins.

49

£400-500

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236 236

237

237

Cooch Behar, Jitendra Narayan (1913-22), machine-struck presentation Half-Rupee, 5.34g, year 404, arms of the state supported by lion and elephant, GRISH at bottom, rev. Śrī Śrī/Jitendra Nãrãyana/Bhup/San 404 Sake (RB. 79: KM. 200), extremely fine with some toning, rare

£400-500

Cooch Behar, Jagaddipendra Narayan (1922-49), Small silver medal, with clasp, 18mm, 4.71g, profile portrait of ruler, around: …….Jagaddipendra Nãrãyan Bhup, rev. arms of the state supported by lion and elephant, Bengali legend top and bottom with date Sake 438; presumably issued to celebrate the ruler’s silver jubilee, with some small surface marks, very fine, scarce

£40-50

238 238

Kings of Khyriem, in the name of Nara Narayan of Cooch Bihar, Tanka, 29mm, 10.09g, dated Sk 1477, legend in four lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Charana Ka/mala Madhu Ka/rasya [six-pointed star], rev. Śrī Śrīma/n Nara Nãrãya/na bhupalasya/Śãke 1477, line above and below legend, circle at end of 1st line; beads in lunettes and elsewhere in field, both sides within circle and border of beads (RB. Z1), good very fine, very rare

£300-400

This and similar coins in the name of Nara Narayana are tentatively attributed to the Khasi King of Khyriem. Khyriem was an independent kingdom, located to the west of the Jaintia Hills, about which little is known. The reason for attributing these coins to Khyriem is their similarity to the coins of Jaintiapur in both style and the inclusion of the six-pointed star, so typical of Jaintiapur coins. Moreover, the Koch Chronicle recorded that, around AD 1563 the Cooch Behar army defeated the king of Khyriem and ordered him to strike coins in the name of Nara Narayan.

239 239

Kings of Khyriem, in the name of Nara Narayan of Cooch Bihar, Tanka, 31mm, 9.66g, dated Sk 1477, legends in four lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Charana Ka/mala Madhu Ka/rasya [six-pointed star], rev. Śrī Śrīma/n Nara Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1477, line above date, both sides within circle and border of beads, various beads in field on both sides, cruder engraving style (RB. Z9), good very fine, very rare WWW.SpinK.Com

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£300-400

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KACHAR The Dimasa-Kachari kings in upper Assam had struck a few coins even before coins were struck in Cooch Behar.

These are in the name of an enigmatic ruler, Vira Vijaya Narayana, and are dated Śaka 1424 and 1442 (AD 1502 and 1520). The legend invokes the Hindu deity, Chandi, while also referring to conquest of the enemies of Hachengsa, the traditional founder of the Dimasa kingdom. These coins provide interesting and unique evidence of Brahmanical influence in the Dimasa-Kachari kingdom, while it was still located in the Assam valley. It is recorded in the Ahom chronicles that the Kacharis were totally defeated in a series of battles between AD 1526 and 1536, when they finally retreated south to Maibong in south Assam, deserting their old capital at Dimapur in Nagaland.

No reference to the Hindu traditions of the first Dimasa-Kachari kingdom is mentioned in any chronicles. By contrast, it is recorded that it was king Dersongpha, who led the Dimasa people south from Dimapur. Near Maibong he met a Brahmin who predicted good fortune, so he decided to settle there. He gave the king a new Hindu name, Nirbhaya Narayan, in place of his tribal name, and became the spiritual guide of the king. The implication in the official histories is that the Dimasa-Kacharis were tribal rulers before they reached Maibong, but numismatic evidence proves that this was not the case. All reference to previous Brahmanical influence was erased from history.

Coins are known in the name of Nirbhaya Narayan dated to Śaka 1481 (AD 1559), and in the names of his successors.

Most of the coins acknowledge ancestry from Hachengsa, following the tradition of the earlier coins. The invasion by Cooch Behar in AD 1563, during which Nirbhaya Narayan was killed, may have disrupted the coinage briefly, and it was only in 1566 that coins were minted by Megha Narayan in similar fabric. These coins were struck in the weight and fabric familiar to traders in Bengal. Apart from any ritual use to which they were put, they were used in trade passing through Kachar, as most surviving examples have been found in Bangladesh, well to the west of Maibong.

After the early years of the 17th century, this trade may have ceased, because the coinage totally changes in character. even during the late 16th century, some pieces become rather thin, and the quality of die engraving deteriorated.

Furthermore, although these thin coins look like silver, analysis of one specimen has shown that at least some of them were struck in an alloy of tin and copper, with no trace of any precious metal. The traders presumably realised this, and no specimens of such debased coins have been reported from outside the immediate vicinity of Maibong. Whether they were intended for use as a local currency or were purely for ritual use is not known.

After the mid-17th century, very few coins of the Dimasa-Kacharis are known and those that do exist are only known from single specimens. It would appear that from then until AD 1814, when the last Dimasa-Kachari coin was struck, they played no economic role in the community, and their use was purely ritual.

All coins of Kachar are very rare and hardly ever come onto the market, expecially in the West. Hence, this auction offers a unique opportunity to acquire some highly desirable coins.

240 240

Kachar, Nirbhaya Naryana (c.1559-63), Tanka, 10.11g, Sk 1481, legend in four lines on both sides: Hara Gaurī/Charana Parã/yana Gede/ma Vamśaja in a double square all within a circle and beaded border, rev: Śri Śri Nirbhaya Nãrã/yana Devasya/Śake 1481 in a double circle, all within a circle and beaded border (RB. 2.2), very fine, extremely rare The first coins attributed to the Dimasa-Kachari kings are a couple issued in the name of Viravijaya Narayana, who is otherwise unknown to history. There follows a gap during which there were various conflicts with the Ahom rulers of Assam, who succeeded in capturing the important Kachar city of Dimapur. This led the Kacharis to flee southwards where they in due course founded their new capital of Maibong and chose as king the person who had led them there, Dersongpha, who took the Hindu name of Nirbhaya Narayana. His precise accession date is not known but his coins are dated Sk 1481 (AD 1559) and are all silver Tankas, more or less on the standard of the Bengal Sultans.

The obverse legend of this issue includes the epithet Gedemã Vamśaja which can be translated as “born out of an honourable (or exalted) clan”.

51

£800-1,000

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241 241

242

Kachar, Megha Narayana (1566-83), Tanka, 10.50g, Sk 1488, legend in four lines on either side: Hara Gaurī/Charana Parã/yana Hãcheng/sã Vamśaja within a double square all within a circle and border of beads, rev. Śri Śri Megah/Nãrãyana/Bhupãlasya/Śãke 1488 within a double square all within a circle and border of beads (RB. 5.1), shroff mark at top of obverse, about good very fine, very rare

£600-800

While far more Tankas are known of Megha Narayana than those of his predecessor, they were struck from many different dies, with variations in legend arrangement and ornamentation, so that individual varieties remain very rare. The legend on this and subsequent tankas include the epithet Hãchengsã Vamśaja, i.e. “belonging to the Hã Tsung Tsã clan”.

242

Kachar, Megha Narayana, broad-flan Tanka, 10.35g, 31mm, Sk 1488, legends in four lines on both sides as previous lot but with obverse legend differently arranged: Hara Gaurī Cha/rana Parãya/na Hãcheng [star]/sã Vamśaja, and reverse legend in a single square (RB. 6.2), scratch mark on obverse, very fine, very rare

£500-700

243 243

Kachar, Megha Narayana, Tanka, 10.22g, Sk 1488, as previous type but no star on obverse, beads in all the lunettes on both sides (RB. 8.1), very fine, very rare

£600-800

245 244 244

245

Kachar, Megha Narayana, Tanka, 9.82g, Sk 1488, as previous lot but legends on both sides within single square (RB. 9.1), attractive very fine with some toning, very rare

£600-800

Kachar, Megha Narayana, Quarter-Tanka, 2.53g, undated, legends in three lines on both sides, Hara Gau/rī Chara/na Parã, rev. Śri Śri Me/gha Nãrã/yana De, both sides within a single square, all within a circle and beaded border, beads in all lunettes (RB. 14.2; KM. 100), toned very fine and extremely rare

£400-600

Quarter-Tankas become relatively “common” for subsequent rulers, but when RB Kachar was written only two coins of this denomination were known for this ruler, and both were different varieties.

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246 246

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana (1583-1601), Tanka, 9.5g, Sk 1505, legends in four lines on both sides: Hara Gaurī/Charana Parã/yana Hãchenga/sã Vamśaja, rev. Śri Śri Jaśo/Nãrãyana/Bhupãlasya/Śãke 1505, both sides within a double circle all within an outer circle with beaded border; beads in all lunettes (RB. 15.1), chisel mark on obverse, very fine, some toning, very rare

£500-700

The coins of yaśo Narayana fall into two main categories: silver Tankas like the present coin, slightly lighter than their Bengal Sultan counterparts, usually found in Bangladesh, and often showing signs of wear or other treatment; and broad-flan Tankas, and QuarterTankas on thin flans, often of debased metal, which are found only in the north Kachar hills. The former were probably used for trading purposes beyond Kachar, while the latter must have been for local use only. The Quarter-Tankas are known from many different dies and hence varieties.

247 247

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana, Tanka, 9.6g, Sk 181, as previous lot but date on the reverse reads Śãke 181 (RB. 17.1), with some slight adhesions, very fine, very rare

£600-800

248 248

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana, Tanka, 9.42g, Sk 16, as previous lot but date on the reverse reads Śãke 16 followed by a small quatrefoil (RB. 17.5), shroff mark on obverse, very fine, very rare

£600-800

249 249

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana, Tanka, 9.83g, date unclear, similar to previous lots but different style of calligraphy (RB. 17.10), shroff mark on obverse, very fine, very rare 53

£600-800

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250

250 (x1.5)

250

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana, very broad-flan Tanka, 37mm, 10.54g, “local” coinage, Sk 1505, legends in four lines on both sides: Hara Gaurī/Charana Parã/yana Hãchenga/sã Vamśaja, rev. Śri Śri Yaśo/Nãrãyana De/va Bhupãlasya/Śãke 1505, both sides within a double square all within a double circle with beaded border, arches in all lunettes (RB. 18.1; KM. 109), toned very fine, a superb specimen, extremely rare

£1,200-1,500

One of the most impressive coins in the whole Kachar series

251

251

Kachar, Yaśo Narayana, Quarter-Tanka, 2.60g, undated, legends in three lines on each side: Hara Gaurī/Charana/Parãyana, rev. Śri Śri Ya/śo Nãrã/yana Deva, both sides within a part double circle, all within outer circle with beaded border, beads in all lunettes (RB. 21.1; KM. 107), about good very fine, very rare

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£350-450

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253 252

252

253

Kachar, Virdarpa Narayana (1643-?), Tanka, 29mm, 10.93g, Sk. 1565, legends in four lines on each side, Śrī Śrī Hara Gau/rī, Charanapa/rãyana Hãcheng/sã Vamśajasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Vira Da/rpa Nã/rãyana/Devasya Sa/ke 1565, both sides within a square, all within a border formed of a double circle with beads in between; the obverse has beads in the four lunettes, the reverse a crescent and bead within each one (RB. 54.1), very fine and extremely rare

£600-800

Kachar, Virdarpa Narayana, Quarter-Tanka, 16mm, 2.47g, legends in three lines within a square and with similar borders to previous lot, Hara Gau/rī Charana/parã Hãchongsã, rev. Śrī Śrī/Vira Darpa Nã/rãyana (RB. 55.1; KM. 127), slight discolouration, good fine and extremely rare

£200-300

254

254 (x1.5)

254

Kachar, Lakshmi Chandra Narayana (1772-74), octagonal gold Mohur, 11.54g, Sk 1694, legend in four lines: Śrī Śrī Rana/chandī Pãda Pa/dma Makaranda Ma/dhukarasya, rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī Yuta/Lakshmī Chandra Nã/rãyana Nrpavara/sya Śake 16/94 (RB. 57.1; KM. 140), very fine, with some red adhesions, of the utmost rarity and probably the only known example According to RB, only two coins are known of this ruler, the present Mohur and a Rupee, both in the Rhodes collection. The octagonal coins clearly draw their inspiration from Assam. RB suggests that they may have been inspired and struck by Moamaria exiles from that state who had sought refuge in Kachar after their failed rebellion. The coin legends include an invocation to Ranachandi, the goddess of war.

55

£3,000-4,000

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MANIPUR

It was in Śaka 1646 (AD 1724) that Gharib Niwaz of Manipur first struck coins in this state. Manipur was very remote and materially poor, and the coins were initially struck in a brass alloy called ‘bell-metal’, rather than in any precious metal. Although the earliest coins have obverse and reverse dies, all later coins were uniface, either bearing the impression of an obverse die or of a reverse die, as the workers at the mint could not figure out the technology of striking a coin with an impression on both sides. Gharib Niwaz was the first Manipuri king to receive Brahmins at court, and the date on these coins must represent an important event in the transformation from tribal traditions into a Hindu state, although no such event is recorded in the Manipur court chronicle, the Chaitarol Kumbaba.

This chronicle was written in old Manipuri language and script, whereas the coins had legends in Nagari script, demonstrating the two parallel, but conflicting, traditions. Also the use of Nagari script on the coins shows that the Brahminical influence was not from Bengal, and there was no attempt to follow the precedents set by the other Hindu states of north-east India. In AD 1756, a few square gold and silver coins were struck by the Manipuri ruler, this time using both obverse and reverse dies on the same coin. Interestingly these rare coins were dated to the month and day of striking, a feature almost unique to Manipur. They also bore the name of the queen. The weight standard of these coins, at over 13g, was heavier than that used by any neighbouring state. These coins are so rare that they can only have had a ritual or donative significance, and they probably never circulated in the local market. Interestingly, the finest collection of these coins is in the British Museum in London, representing coins presented by the King of Manipur to the east India Company, which he believed, correctly as it turned out, would help him maintain his independence from his neighbours and traditional enemies, the Burmese.

Apart from these rare silver and gold coins, Manipur continued to strike small bell-metal ‘Sels’, small uniface coins with low value that were popular in the markets. Cowrie shells did not reach Manipur, so it was through these small coins that the local Manipuris were first introduced to the benefits of monetisation. These coins continued to be struck until AD 1891, when the British took over the administration of the state.

This auction offers two rare square rupees of Gaura Simha and Chaurajit Simha respectively (lots 255 & 256) as well as a selection of Sels, including some rare early ones.

255 255 (x1.5)

255

Manipur, Gaura Simha (c.1756-64), heavy square Rupee, 12.78g, Sk 1678, legends in four lines on each side: Jesrī Gaura/Sīmhã Manipu/resva Priyã/tamã Rãnīh, rev. Vaisakh Su/dhi Terakha/vade 1, Samva/t 1678 (RB.8; C.23), toned very fine, extremely rare Coins of this ruler are rarely available and were probably issued in very limited quantities.

This Rupee was struck in the month of Vaisakh (the second month of the Hindu calendar) Sk 1678 (AD 1756) most likely on the occasion of the installation of the king. Its weight is unusually high, which goes to support its ceremonial purpose. It was during this reign that Manipur first made contact with the British, due to the threat from the Burmese.

PROVeNANCe:

ex. Goron collection.

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£600-800

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256 256

Manipur, Chaurajit Simha (c.1804-12), square Rupee, 11.10g, Sk 1732, legends in four lines on each side: Śrīmadrãdha Go/vinda Pada Ravin/da Makaranda Ma/no Madhu Karasya, rev. Śrīman Manipure/śvara Śrī Chauraji/t Simha Nripavarasya/Śãke 1732 (RB. 22; C. 57), very fine with some red adhesions and curved flan defect on reverse, rare

257 257

£300-400

258

Manipur (18th century), large anonymous Sel, 21mm, 3.94g, two-letter inscription Ja da?; reverse blank (RB. p48), crude very fine; rare

£50-60

Base-metal Sels were the coins used by the ordinary people in their day to day transactions. These early ones are larger and heavier than the more common Sels usually encountered, and are rarely available on the market.

258

Manipur (18th century), large anonymous Sel, 22mm, 3.42g, single letter Śri; reverse blank (RB. p.47), crude very fine, rare

£50-60

259 260 259

260

Manipur (18th century), large anonymous Sel, 21mm, 3.47g, two-letter inscription Jaya; reverse blank (RB. p.48), crude very fine, rare

£50-60

Manipur (19th century), base-metal uniface Sels (8), various weights, with legends: cha, la, mã, rã, ku, śri (RB. pp.50-51), crude fine to very fine (8)

£40-50

Attempts have been made to ascribe the different legends to different rulers, e.g. Chaurajit Singh, Marajit Singh, Chandra Kirti, Nara Singh, Sura Chandra, Kula Chandra but these remain tentative attributions.

261

262

Manipur, base-metal uniface Sels (8), as previous lot, with legends mã, bha?, rã, ku, śri (RB. pp.50-51), crude fine (8)

£40-50

Manipur, base-metal uniface Sels (8), as previous lot, with legends la, ka, rã, śri (RB. pp.50-51), crude fine to very fine (8)

£40-50

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JAINTIAPUR Jaintiapur is an interesting state in that the ruler, of Khasi-Synteng lineage, ruled as a tribal leader in the Jaintia Hills but as a Hindu king in the plains, where his territory abutted the Muslim territory of Sylhet. There was a close rivalry between the Jaintia rulers and their neighbours in Kachar. The first Jaintia coin was probably struck around AD 1560, at the same time that Nirbhaya Narayana struck his coin in Maibong, but the coin is different in some important ways.

While the weight, design and fabric is identical to the coin of the Dimasa-Kachari ruler, and both invoke homage to Lord Shiva, the Jaintia coin has no date and does not mention the name of the king, identifying itself only as a coin of the Jaintia people. It seems that, although there was some Brahmanical influence in the court at Jaintiapur in the plains, the ruler still maintained many Khasi traditions, which dictated that his name should not appear on coins.

The invasion by the Cooch Behar forces in AD 1563 disrupted the coinage, as in Kachar, and the ruler was slain in battle. According to the Cooch Chronicle, his successor was forbidden from ever striking coins in his own name.

Interestingly this interdiction was not reflected on the coins, since in Śaka 1497 (AD 1575) a coin was struck in Jaintia in the name of Vijaya Manik. However, it seems that this was a single exception, perhaps to prove that Jaintia was no longer subjected to any control from Cooch Behar, but more probably because of influence from Kachar. From then on, none of the coins of Jaintia have the name of the ruler, reverting to their Khasi traditions, rather than for any other reason. From the early 18th century, the coins become very debased, perhaps because the right to strike them was auctioned off to the highest bidder. Again this is indicative of the continuing tribal status of the king, who had comparatively little influence over the affairs of state, with major decisions taken by a committee of local tribal chiefs.

The coins still played a role as a circulating medium in both the Jaintia plains and in the hills until the British took over the administration in the 1830’s, but they were never accepted for circulation outside the state.

Of particular interest in this auction are the coins of Bargosain I, Chota Parbatrai and Lakshmisimha (lots 263, 264 & 265), while some of the later issues are also rarely encountered.

263

263

Jaintiapur, Bargosain I? (c.1548?-63), Tanka, 9.7g, undated, legends in four lines on each side, obv. within a double square, and a circle and border of beads: Hara Gaurī Cha/ranaparãya/na Kamala Ma/dhukarasya, rev. within a single square, and a circle and border of beads: Śri Rupesya/Banãdasthan/Jantapuramka/Saupradhãna (RB. A1), very fine and of the highest rarity, this being the sole example known to RB The legends on this coin can be translated as: “(coin) of Sri Rupa [presumably referring to Shiva] chief ruler of the forest land and of the Jaintia people”, and is said to be unique among coins of the Hindu north-east in having neither the name of a king or a date. Its attribution to Bargosain I, therefore, is somewhat tentative. In style it is similar to the coins of Nirbhaya Narayan of Kachar (AD 1559-1566) and may have been struck a little before the time of the invasion of Jaintiapur by Nara Narayan of Cooch Behar (c.

1563/4). It is known that during the reign of Bargosain I a temple was built to Shiva near Muktapur. The head priest was Rupanath and the temple became known as the temple of Rupanath, containing the images of Shiva as Rupanath and his consort as Jainteswari.

Bargosain dedicated his whole kingdom to these two.

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£600-800

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264 264

Jaintiapur, Chota Parbatrai (1633-40), Tanka, dated Sk. 1555, legends in four lines on both sides, Śri Śri Śi/va Charana Ka/mala Madhu Ka/rasya [six-pointed star], bead at the end of the first line and after star, three beads at top, all within a double circle with beads in between and with crescent at top, rev. Śri Śri Ja/yantipura Pu/randarasya Śa/ke 1555, four beads in field, all within a double circle with beads in between (RB. D1), nice very fine and extremely rare

£350-450

There is a gap of almost 60 years for which no coins of Jaintiapur are known. Little is known about the history of this period or about the rulers. From this issue, however, all the coins of Jaintiapur are of the same basic anonymous type; all have the “Star of David” in the same position, all have a single, fixed date for each king, which is presumed to be the accession year.

265 265

Jaintiapur, Lakshmi Simha (1670-1703), Tanka, 9.40g, Sk. 1592, legends as previous lot, obv. pistol left, sword right, bead at the end of the first line, and three beads above (RB. H1; KM. 140), very fine with some small patches of toning, rare

£250-300

Whereas the star symbol on the majority of Jaintia coins has six points, the one engraved on coins of this ruler has only five. The significance of this, if any, is not known.

266

266

267

267

Jaintiapur, Jaynarayan (1708-31), Tanka, 9.90g, Sk. 1630, legends and symbols as previous lot but without the bead at the end of the first line of the obverse and with a bead at the end of the first line of the reverse; flower countermark on the obverse (RB. J1; KM. 160), very fine, scarce

£80-100

Jaintiapur, Jaynarayan, Tanka, 10.00g, Sk. 1630, as previous lot, elongated bead, cross, elongated bead above first line of obverse, reverse with two beads at the start and three beads at the end of the first line (RB. J5; KM. 160), nice very fine with some toning, scarce

£80-100

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268 268

269

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II (1731-70), Tanka, Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lot, obv. six-pointed star, symbol C above top line, three beads in lower field; rev. with single bead at the start and three beads at the end of the first line (RB. K3; KM. 177), very fine

£40-60

The coins of this ruler are relatively common and occur in many varieties depending on the number and placement of beads and the symbol above the first line of the obverse.

Deyell in 1980 (Numismatic Digest, Vol. IV, part II), thought the number of beads might relate to the regnal year but more recent studies have resulted in a greater number of varieties than years of the reign. It is likely, however, that as the reign progressed the number of beads increased. Their actual significance is not know for sure but it is reported that the striking of these coins was farmed out to private contractors, so it may be that the bead system enabled the authorities to identify which contractor struck which coins. The coins appears to be struck on somewhat debased silver; examples occur countermarked and with a small drill hole.

As usual, KM. does not list the various varieties.

269

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tanka, Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lot, obv. five-pointed star, symbol D above top line; rev. with one bead at the start and 3 beads at the end of first line (RB. K4; KM. 177), very fine

£40-60

270 270

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tanka, Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lot, obv. five-pointed star, symbol H above top line, rev. as previous lot but with flower countermark and drill hole (RB. K7; KM. 177), very fine

£40-60

Coins with the countermark and the drill hole are said to be scarcer than those without them.

271 271

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tanka, Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lot, obv. six-pointed star, symbol J above first line with bead either side; rev. with two beads at the start and three beads at the end of the first line, three beads at the top and three at the bottom (RB. K9c; KM. 177), very fine WWW.SpinK.Com

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£40-60

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272 272

273

273

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tankas (2), Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lot, obv. six-pointed star, symbol M above top line, seven beads in lower field; rev. as previous lot but with indistinct countermark and drill hole; the second with ten beads in obverse field, five beads at top and five at bottom of the reverse (RB. K12, 13; KM. 177), very fine to good very fine (2)

£80-100

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tankas (2), Sk. 1653 as previous lot (RB. K12, 13; KM. 177), very fine to about extremely fine (2)

£80-100

274 274

275

275

Jaintiapur, Bargosain II, Tanka, Sk. 1653, legends and main symbols as previous lots, obv. symbol M, 6 beads in lower field, rev. a flower at start and end of the first line, seven beads at the top and bottom (RB. K17a; KM. 177), very fine

£60-80

Jaintiapur, Chattra Simha (1774-82), Tanka, Sk. 1696, legends and main symbols as previous lots, obv. symbol M, nine beads in lower field, rev. a flower at start and end of the first line, and with three bead patterns at the top (RB. L2; KM. 185), very fine, scarce

£60-80

276

276

Jaintiapur, Chattra Simha, Tanka, Sk. 1696, as previous lot but obv. four beads in lower field, rev. also with four beads below the date (RB. L2a; KM. 185), a bit weakly struck, very fine and scarce 61

£60-80

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277 277

278

Jaintiapur, Jatra Narayan (1782-85), Tanka, Sk. 1704, legends and main symbols as previous lots, obv. symbol M, three beads in lower field, rev. bead pattern as the start and end of the first line, three bead patterns at top (RB. M1var; KM. 192), good very fine, rare

£100-120

Jatra Narayan was the nephew of Chattra Simha. His coins are rare.

278

Jaintiapur, Jatra Narayan, Tanka, Sk. 1704, as previous lot but obv. with two beads in lower field; rev. a star at each end of the first line (RB. M2; KM. 192), a little weakly struck in places, good very fine and rare

£100-120

279

279

Jaintiapur, Bijay Narayan (1785-88 or 90?), Tanka, Sk. 1707, legends and symbols as previous lot but obv. with three beads in lower field, and rev. with different date (RB. N1; KM. 199), very fine, rare

£100-120

The coins of this ruler were struck using quite a base alloy and often have traces of silvering, probably to hide the debasement.

280

280

281

281

Jaintiapur, Bijay Narayan, Tanka, Sk. 1707, legends and main symbols as previous lot but obv. symbol N, five beads in lower field; rev. 12 beads above the first line, four beads to the left and two beads to the right of the first line, and two beads lower left (RB. N3b; KM. 199), very fine, rare

£100-120

Jaintiapur, Bijay Narayan, Tanka, Sk. 1707, legends and main symbols as previous lot but rev. with three beads to the left of the first line, a variety not actually listed in RB (RB. N3var.; KM. 199), very fine with a little discolouration, rare

£100-120

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282 282

Jaintiapur, Ram Simha (1790-32), Tanka, Sk. 1712, legends and main symbols as previous lots but obv. symbol O above top line and bead pattern at start of bottom line, rev. symbol (ii) above top line, flower to left and right of top line and different date (RB. O1b?; KM. 206), a little weakly struck, good very fine

£40-60

The coins of this ruler are very debased.

283 283

284

284

Jaintiapur, Ram Simha, Tanka, Sk 1712, as previous lot but obv. symbol M above top line, two beads in lower field, rev. 12 beads above top line, and bud to left and right of top line, this particular variety does not appear to be listed in RB (RB. O2 var; KM. 206), very fine with some toning

£50-70

Jaintiapur, Ram Simha, Tanka, Sk. 1712, as previous lot but rev. five beads above top line, and three beads to the left and right of the top line (RB. O3a; KM. 206), a little weakly struck, good very fine

£40-60

285 285

286

286

Jaintiapur, Ram Simha, Tanka, Sk. 1712, as previous lot but rev. symbol (h) above top line, two beads to the left and three beads to the right of the top line, and a bead lower left (RB. O3b; KM. 206), somewhat weakly struck, good very fine

£40-60

Jaintiapur, Ram Simha, Tanka, Sk. 1712, as previous lot but obv. two beads at start of last line; rev. symbol (k) above top line, large flower to the left and right of the top line (RB. O7; KM. 206), somewhat weakly struck, with a little toning, good very fine

£40-60

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AHOM KINGDOM OF ASSAM Although the Ahom kingdom, with its capital in upper Assam, was generally the most powerful kingdom in the region, it is interesting that coins were first struck there only in Śaka 1570 (AD 1648). Only then were the Brahmins at court strong enough to persuade the king to strike coins, but even so, the main reason may have been that the Ahoms were expanding their territory westwards, into an area of ancient Kamrupa that had been monetised. The coins struck by Jayadhvaja Simha were octagonal in shape, beautifully produced, weighed circa 11.3g, and were very different from the coins struck by any other kingdom. The first coins did not carry the king’s name, and one piece is known with a Chinese legend, Bao Zang (meaning Tibetan Coin) indicating that the Assamese had ambitions, albeit unsuccessful, to increase trans-Himalayan trading links. In AD 1662/3, the Ahom ruler was forced to abandon his capital before the invading Mughal forces under Mir Jumla, and may have concluded that he had offended the Ahom tribal deities by striking coins only honouring the Hindu deities. Accordingly, from 1663, coins appeared with legends in the traditional Ahom language and script, honouring the Ahom deities. Such coins were issued until AD 1696, when Rudra Simha ascended the throne. The Brahmins had significant influence at his court, and he reverted to issuing coins in Assamese-Bengali script and honouring Hindu deities. Another innovation was to place the actual date of striking on the coins, whereas all the other states of the north-east only changed the date of the coin when the ruler changed.

For the next century a fine series of coins was issued continuously in both gold and silver, with an increasing number of small denominations as the coins became gradually accepted for modest market transactions, in preference to the traditional cowrie shell. Occasionally coins were struck in the old Ahom script, perhaps on the occasion of the traditional installation ceremony when the old gods were honoured. Some coins were also struck with legends in the urdu language, showing some Mughal influence, but such pieces were rare exceptions rather than the rule. The last coins to be struck in Assam were by Jogeśvara Simha, a puppet Ahom ruler installed by the Burmese in 1821, after they had invaded Assam in that year. This invasion triggered a response from the British, who had previously not ventured further than Cooch Behar in their colonial ambitions. The Burmese were driven out by the British, and Purandara Simha, a prince from the old Ahom royal family, was installed on the throne, but was forbidden to strike coins. The British demanded tribute from the new Ahom ruler, as compensation for the cost of driving out the Burmese, and although they had forbidden Purandara Simha from striking his own coins, they demanded that he pay the tribute in old Ahom coins. They had worked out that the old coins were of a better standard than the coins struck by the British and hence it was in their interest to receive tribute in this form. For a time this worked well, but after some years the stock of old coins became exhausted and Purandara Simha was forced to make his own copies of the old coins to satisfy the demands of the British. However, he used a less fine alloy, which displeased the British greatly, and soon afterwards they removed him from the throne for ‘maladministration’, and incorporated the whole of Assam into their jurisdiction.

This auction offers a superb range of Assamese coins. Of particular note are the gold Mohur of Jayadhvaja Simha (lot 291), the Ahom rupees of Udayaditya, Pramatta Simha, Lakshmi Simha (lots 304, 345 & 373), coins of Jogeśvara Simha (lots 438 & 439), and various rare or very rare square-format coins (lots 333, 356, 361, 369 & 379) as well as various gold mohurs and fractions, some of which are known from one or two examples.

287 287

Assam, Mlechcha dynasty, Harjaravarman (9th century AD), uniface Æ Coin, 14.26g, 27mm, with large letter “ha” on one side, the other side blank, good very fine with some earthen encrustation, rare The copper coins of the Mlechcha dynasty are described and listed in detail in RB part 1.

Most of the known coins have come from specific hoards and most of them are in public institutions. Only a limited number are in private hands and they are rarely available on the open market.

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£60-80

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288 288

289

290

289

Assam, Mlechcha dynasty, Vanamalavarman or Valavarman (9th century AD), uniface Æ Coin, 14.97g, 31 mm, with large letter “va” on one side, the other side blank, good very fine, a small amount of earthen encrustation, rare

£60-80

Assam, Mlechcha dynasty, Vanamalavarman or Valavarman, uniface Æ Coin, 4.04g, 24mm, with large and somewhat crudely engraved letter “va” on one side, the other side blank, very fine, with earthen encrustation, rare

£60-80

Assam, Mlechcha dynasty, uniface Æ Coin, 1.34g, 24mm, with letter “ga” on one side, the other side blank, very fine, part of coin missing at top, rare

£40-60

These light-weight coins have been found in the same hoards as the other Mlechcha copper coin and, thus, belong to the same period. There is, however, no known king of the time whose name begins with “ga”, so RB believe the letter could stand for the coin denomination of a Gan@da, which was equal to 4 cowries.

291 291 (x1.5) 291

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha (1648-63), gold octagonal Mohur, 10.91g, dated Sk. 1570, four-line inscription in Assamese script on both sides within a double linear border with beads, Śrī Śrī Ha/ri Hara Chara/na Parãya/nasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Śva/rga Nãrãyana/Devasya Śãke/1570 (RB. A2.1; KM. 5), about extremely fine and very rare

£1,500-2,000

This is the first gold issue of the Ahom rulers of Assam and it is in the octagonal format that became standard for Assamese coins until the end of the series, with only a few exceptions. The legends do not cite the ruler’s name but have an invocation to Hari Hara, a syncretic deity combining both Vishnu and Shiva. It was towards the end of Jayadhvaja’s reign that a disastrous Mughal invasion under Mir Jumla took place, from which few of the Mughal soldiers returned alive. Before the Mughals retreated, the king signed a treaty with them and agreed to pay them tribute. Perhaps this issue formed part of that tribute.

The coins of the first few Assames coin-issuing rulers all have fixed dates.

292 292

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.13g, Sk. 1570, four-line inscription in Assamese script on both sides within a double linear border with beads, Śrī Śrī Ha/ri Hara Chara/na Parãya/nasya, bead lower right, rev. Śrī Śrī Śva/rga Nãrãya/nasya Śãke/1570 (RB. A3.4; KM. 1), a little crimped, very fine, scarce 65

£120-150

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293 293

294

295

294

295

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.53g, Sk. 1570, as previous lot but the word Śrī differently engraved (RB. A4.1; KM. 1), very fine, scarce

£120-150

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.60g, Sk. 1570, as previous lot but with symbol to the right of the first line of the obverse, and slightly different reverse legend: Śrī Śrī Sva/rga Nãrãyana/Devasya Śãke/1570, and small symbols above and below the last letter of the second line of the reverse (RB. A5.3; KM. 2), very fine, scarce

£120-150

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 12.15g, Sk. 1570, as previous lot but obverse has three-bead groups in field (RB. A5var; KM. 2), very fine, scarce

£120-150

296 296

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.06g, Sk. 1570, Assamese script, in four lines: Śrī Śrī/Hari Hara Chara/na Kamala Ma/du Karasya; rev. in five lines: Śrī Śrī/Svarga Nãrãya/na Jayadhvaja Sim/hasya Śãke/1570 (not in RB or KM), very fine, extremely rare, possibly the only known specimen.

£600-800

This appears to be an unpublished type. The coin is remarkable in citing the name of the ruler, whereas all his other known coins are anonymous. Jayadhvaja died soon after signing the treaty with the Mughals but perhaps he had this coin struck with his name once they had left as a sign of defiance.

297 297

298

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha (Siu-pung-mung) (1663-70), octagonal Rupee, 11.29g, dated Sk. 1585, legends in four lines in Assamese script on each side within the usual border, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Rãma Padã/rabinda Parã/yanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Sva/rga Deva Chakradhva/ja Simhasya Śãke/1585 (RB. B1.1; KM. 8), very fine, scarce

£80-100

Chakradhvaja Simha succeeded his father, soon after the Mughal invasion, and made sure his name was inscribed on the coinage. The coins come in two main categories: those in Assamese script with his Hindu name, and those in Ahom script with his Ahom name. The former all have the fixed date Sk. 1585, while the latter are dated to the 15th year of the 60 year cycle (AD 1663). The coins of this reign continue to maintain their octagonal shape but a couple of round rupees are also known, see lot 299 below.

298

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.52g, Sk. 1585, as previous lot but obverse with crescent in top border and bird in left border, rev. with leaping deer in upper left border (RB. B2.1; KM. 8), very fine, scarce The bird symbol has been identified with Somdeo, or the bird form of Lengdon or Indra, the principal traditional deity of the Ahom kings.

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£80-100

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299 299

300

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, round Rupee, 11.02g, Ahom legends, dated the 15th year (of the 60 year cycle), in four lines: Kão/boi phã/Tã-rã/heu chiu, rev. in five lines: Chao phã/Siu-pung-mu/ng pin chan/Lãk-ni/plek-ngi (RB. B61; KM. 9), very fine, extremely rare

£400-600

The legends can be translated as: I offer a prayer in the name of heavenly Tara/The god Siupung-mung became king in the 15th year (of the 60 year cycle) = 1663 300

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 10.99g, same legends as previous lot (RB. 7; KM. 10), very fine, scarce

£60-80

RB overcomplicate their listings by including in many places separate entries for every different die or die combination, without indicating how the dies differ; in some places, on the other hand, entries relate to several dies.

301 301

302

302

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.12g, as previous lot, but with lion on left of reverse (RB.8.1; KM. 11), good very fine with slight toning, scarce

£80-100

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.11g, as previous lot but with lion at the bottom of the reverse (RB. B10; KM. 12), very fine, scarce

£50-60

303 303

304

304

Assam, Chakradhvaja Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.14g, as previous lot but obverse with crescents in the border and reverse with the lion (RB. B11.1; KM. 13), very fine, scarce

£50-60

Assam, Udayaditya (Siu-nyat-pha) (1670-72), octagonal Rupee, 11.14g, Ahom legends, dated year 21 (of the 60 year cycle), in four lines: Kão boi/phã Tu-chi/ng Phrang Hum/heu chiu, crescents in border, rev. in four lines: Siu-nya/t-phã Pin-/chan chanpi/Kãp-san (RB. C2.1; KM. 21), very fine, extremely rare

£500-700

udayaditya was the brother of Chakradhvaja Simha. Only a few coins of his are known, and only with Ahom legends.

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305

307

306 305

Assam, Gadadhara Simha (Siu-pat-pha) (1681-96), octagonal Rupee, 11.24g, Ahom legends, dated year 33 (of the 60 year cycle), legends in four lines on each side within the usual border, Kão boi/phã Leng-/don heu/chiu, rev. Chao Siu-/pat-phã pi/n khun lãk/-ni Rãi-sãn (RB. e1.1; KM. 28), some slight discolouration, good very fine

£50-60

The decade after the death of Chakradhvaja Simha was one of turmoil in Assam during which there were no fewer than five rulers, only a couple of which appear to have had time to strike coins (see the previous lot, and a Rupee of Dihingia Raja remaining in the Rhodes collection).

Gadadhara managed to survive this period. early in his reign he expelled the Muslims from Guwahati, thereby capturing a large amount of booty, which presumably enabled him to strike much of his coinage. All his coins are dated to the 33rd year of the 60 year cycle used by the Ahoms and the legends invoke the Ahom deity, Lengdon, often identified as Indra. One or more bird symbols also often occur on the coins, as does a lion.

306

307

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.38, 11.21g, as previous lot but obverse has a lion lower right (RB. e2.1, e2.2; KM. 29), good very fine/extremely fine (2)

£100-120

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.43g, as previous lot with lion on the obverse (RB. e2.2; KM. 29), very fine

£50-60

308

308

309

310

309

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupee, 10.97g, as previous lot but obverse with a lion lower right chasing a bird, upper right (RB. e3; KM. 30), good very fine

£50-60

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.39g, as previous lot with lion chasing bird, with an additional small bird added to the left border of the obverse (RB. e4.1; KM. 31), very fine

£50-60

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.03g, legends as previous lots, obv. bird preening itself lower right and bead pattern at the bottom, rev. lion lower right (RB. e5.1; KM. 32), good very fine with a little discolouration

£50-60

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311 311

312

313

312

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 10.73, 10.97g, legends, bird and lion as previous lot, without the bead pattern at the bottom of the obverse (RB. e5.2, e5.3; KM. 32), good very fine (2)

£100-120

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 10.90, 10.88g, legends as previous lots, obv. bird walking lower right, rev. lion lower right (RB. e6.1, e6.2; KM. 33), nice very fine (2)

£100-120

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.22, 11.20g, legends and symbols as previous lot, struck from different dies (RB. e6.4, e6.5; KM. 33), very fine (2)

£100-120

314 314

Assam, Gadadhara Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.05, 11.14g, Ahom legends as previous lots, obv. bird in crescent at the top, rev. lion lower right (RB. e7.2, e7.3; KM. 34), good very fine (2)

£100-120

315 315 (x1.5) 315

Assam, Rudra Simha (1696-1714), octagonal gold Half-Mohur, 5.61g, undated, threeline legends on both sides with the usual border, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Pada/Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Rudra Si/mhasya (RB. F4.1; KM. 44), very fine, extremely rare Rudra Simha succeeded his father in AD 1696 and straightaway made significant changes to the coinage: the inscriptions were Sanskrit rather than Ahom, and engraved in Assamese script, and the coins (apart from the half rupees) began to bear the actual date of striking, not a fixed date. The coins also bear a Shaivite invocation. Rupees and HalfRupees of this reign are relatively common, but Quarter-Rupees are rare and gold coinage is extremely rare, being known from very few examples.

69

£600-800

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316 316 (x1.5) 316

317

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Quarter-Mohur, 2.84g, dated Sk. 1619, in three lines: Śrī Śrī/Rudra Simha/Nr pasya, rev. in two lines: Śãke 1619 (RB. 5.1; KM. 43), very fine, extremely rare

£600-750

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1618, 1622, 1623, 1624, legends in four lines on both sides within usual border, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/dãmbuja Madhu/karasya, rev. Śrī Śrīmat/Svarga Deva rudra/Simhasya Śãke [date], lion below, running to right (RB. F6.1, F10, F11, F12.1; KM. 40), very fine (4)

£90-120

318 318

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Rupees (3), Sk. 1625, 1626, 1627, legends as previous lot (RB. F13.1, F14.1, F15.1; KM. 40), very fine (3)

319 319

320

321

320

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.08g, Sk. 1619, legends in four lines, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Padayu/gala Kamala/Madhukara, rev. Śrī Śrīmat/Saumareśvara/Deva Rudra Simha/sya Śãke 1619, lion chasing deer below (RB. F7.1; KM. 41), very fine, very rare This very rare issue has a special legend describing the king as the Lord of Saumara.

Saumara was the name of the eastern-most division of Kamarupa, i.e. upper Assam.

The motif of a lion chasing a deer is also not found on any other issue of this ruler. This may well have been the issue prepared for the king’s coronation ceremony.

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.27g, Sk. 1628, normal Rupee legends for this ruler, but very rare date (RB. F16.1; KM. 40), toned very fine, very rare Coins of years 1628 and 1629 are particularly rare and must have been struck in very small quantities. RB offer some possible explanation for this, which may have been to do with the military expedition against Kachar that took place at this time.

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Rupee, 10.66g, Sk. 1629, as previous lots, again a very rare date (RB. F17.1; KM. 40), very fine, very rare WWW.SpinK.Com

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£60-80

321

£250-300

£100-120

£100-120

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322 322

Assam, Rudra Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (2), 5.61, 5.53g, undated, legends in three lines on both sides: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Pada/Parasya; rev. Śrī Śrī/Rudra Si/mhasya; octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.73g, Sk. 1619, in three lines: Śrī Śrī/Rudra Simha/Nṛpasya, rev. in two lines: Śãke/1619 (RB. F25.1, F25.2, F26.1; KM. 38, 36), very fine, the Quarter-Rupee rare (3)

£80-100

323 323

Assam, Śiva Simha (1714-44), gold Mohur, 10.74g, no queen, Sk. 1637, legends in four lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/dãmbuja Madhu/karasya, rev Śrī Śrīmat/Svarga Deva Śi/va Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1637 (RB. G1.1; KM. 55), with possible trace of mount on edge, about very fine, very rare Gold coins are known from all parts of Śiva Simha’s reign but in each case only from one or two examples, so that individual dates are all very rare.

324 324

£600-800

325

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (3), no queen, Sk. 1637 (2), 1638, legends in four lines on each side: Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Padã/mbuja Madhuka/rasya, rev. Śrī Śrīmat/Svarga Deva Śi/va Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1638, lion at bottom running to right (RB. G4.1, G5.1, G6.1; KM. 51), very fine, scarce (3)

£90-120

The Rupees from the first few years of the reign are all scarce. The two Rupees dated Sk 1637 differ slightly in the layout of the word Śrīmat in the top line of the reverse: G4.1 has the last letter of the word on the second line, while the other Rupees have it all engraved on the first line.

325

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (3), no queen, Sk. 1639, 1640, 1641, legends as previous lot (RB. G7.1, G8.1, G9; KM. 51), very fine to good very fine, scarce (3) 71

£90-120

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327 326

326

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.61g, no queen, undated, legends in three lines on each side: Śrī Śrī/Śiva Pada/Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī/Śiva Si/mhasya; octagonal Quarter-Rupees (2), Sk. 1637, 1646, 2.84, 2.61g, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śãke/[date] (RB. G15.1, G16.1, G19.1; KM. 49, 47), very fine, the Quarter-Rupees rare (3)

£100-150

The Quarter-Rupees of this period of the reign are rarely found.

327

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.31g, Sk. 1646, citing Queen Phuleśvari, in three lines: Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Pada Pa/rãyanãyah, lion below, running right, rev. in four lines: Śrī Śrī Śiva/Simha Nr pa Mahisī/Śrī Phuleśvarī De/vyãh Śãke 1646 (RB. H1.1; KM. 66), very fine, very rare

£800-1,000

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Sk. 1646 (2), 1647, 1648, 1649, 1650, citing Queen Phuleśvari, legends in four lines on both sides, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pada/Parãyanãyah/Śãke date, rev. Śrī Śrī Śiva/Simha Nr pa Mahi/sī Śrī Phulesva/rī Devyah (RB. H7.1, H8.1, H9.1, H11.1, H12.1, H13.1; KM. 61), very fine (6)

£150-180

It is reported that Śiva Simha was heavily influenced by Brahmins and astrologers at his court and was worried that his reign would turn out to be a short one; therefore, in AD 1722 (Sk. 1644) he declared his queen, Phuleśvari to be ruler in his place. A couple of years later her position must have strengthened to the extent that we find her name cited on all the coinage, not just the Mohurs and Rupees, and in such a way that the coins appear to be issued by the queen rather than the king.

328

RB. H7.1 has a bird with outstretched wings at the bottom of the obverse and a lion running to the right at the bottom of the reverse, while H8.1 has the lion at the bottom of the obverse and no symbol on the reverse. On the rupees from Sk. 1648, the first syllable of the word Parãyanãyah on the obverse is engraved at the end of the first line instead of the beginning of the second line as in previous issues.

329 329

330

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.80g, undated, citing Queen Phuleśvari, legends in three lines on both sides: Śrī Śi/va Simha/Nr pa, rev. Jãyã/Phuleśva/rasyãh (RB. H15.1; KM. 57), very fine and very rare

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Sk. 1648, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, citing Queen Pramatheśvari, legends in four lines on each side, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Pada Pa/rãyanãyah/Śãke [date], lion at bottom running to right, rev. Śrī Śrī Śiva/Simha Nr pa Mahi/sī Śrī Pramatheśva/rī Devyãh (RB. I5.1, I6.1, I7.2, I.8, I9.1, I10.2; KM. 73), very fine (6) In AD 1726 (Sk. 1648), Queen Phuleśvari changed her name to Pramatheśvari, another name for Parvati, the consort of Śiva. And coins were struck with the new name from that year though, oddly, there are a couple of years when coins were struck in either name.

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£80-100

£150-180

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333

332 331 331

332

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.66g, undated, citing Queen Pramatheśvari, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simha Nr pa/Mahis ī, rev. Śrī Prama/theśvarī/Devyãh; octagonal QuarterRupee, 2.82g, undated, citing Queen Pramatheśvari, Śrī Śi/va Simha/Nr pa, rev. Jãya Śr ī/Prama/the/śvasyah (RB. I.11, I.12; KM. 71, 69), very fine, the Quarter-Rupee scarce (2) Assam, Śiva Simha, round Rupee, 11.46g, Persian script, Sk. 1649, regnal year 14, Rangpur mint, citing Queen Pramatheśvari, sīva singh shãh/sikkah/zad chū mahr/bahm begam pramathīsarī/shãh, winged lion facing left below, rev. mãnūs/maimanat/sanah 14 jalūs/z arb/rangpūr 1649 (RB. I13.1; KM. 74), good very fine, very rare

£40-60

£300-400

The striking of some round and square rupees in Persian script indicates the presence of some Mughal influence at court.

333

Assam, Śiva Simha, square Rupee, 11.32g, Persian script, Sk. 1651, regnal year 15, Gargaon mint, citing Queen Pramatheśvari, shãh/s īva singh/sikkah/zad chū mahr/bahm begam pramathīsarī/shah, rev. maimanat mãnūs/sanah 15 jalūs/z arb gargãon 1651 (RB. I14.1; KM. 75), extremely fine, rare

£200-300

This coin obtained by exchange from the British Museum in 1969.

334 334

335

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.31g, Assamese script, Sk. 1654, year 18, no queen cited, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Padã/mbuja Madhu/karasya, lion running to right below, rev. Śrī Śrīma/t Svarga Deva Śi/va Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1654/18 (RB. J1.1; KM. 83), very fine

£40-60

There was a single year issue without the name of any queen. From this issue onwards the regnal year was included on all coins of this reign.

335

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.28g, Sk. 1654, year 19, citing Queen Ambika, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Pada/Parãyanãnam/Śãke 1654/19, rev. Śrī Śrī Śiva/Simha Nr pa Tadva/llabha Śrīmad Ambi/kã Devīnãm, lion below, running right (RB. K1.1; KM. 98), a little crimped, probably ex-mount, very fine, very rare

£700-900

Ambika was the sister of Phuleśvari/Pramateśvari.

336

337

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1654 year 19, 1655 year 19, 1655 year 20, 1656 year 20, citing Queen Ambika, legends as previous lot (RB. K6.1, K7.1, K8.1, K9; KM. 91), very fine to good very fine (4)

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (5), Sk. 1657 year 21, 1658 year 22, 1658 year 23 (2), 1659 year 24, citing Queen Ambika, legends as previous lot, position of lion varies (RB. K10, 11.1, 13.1, 15.2, 16.2; KM. 91, 92, 93, 94), very fine (5) 73

£90-120

£120-150

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338

338

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.62g, year 19, Quarter-Rupee, 2.82g, year 20, both citing Queen Ambika, legends: Half-Rupee, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simha Na/reśvara, rev. Tadvalla/bha Śrīmad Ambi/kã Devīnãm/19; Quarter-Rupee, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simha Ma/hīpa, rev. Jãyã/Śrīmad Ambi/kãnãm/20 (RB. K17.1, K21.1; KM. 88, 85), very fine to good very fine, the Quarter-Rupee rare (2)

£60-80

339

339

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.84g, year 24, citing Queen Ambika, legends as previous lot (Quarter-Rupee) but, next to the year, a deer running to right with its head turned back (RB. K23.1; KM. 86), very fine, very rare

340 340

341

342

341

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.13, 11.32g, Sk. 1660 year 24, 1660 year 25, without queen, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Padã/mbuja Madhuka/rasya, rev. Śrī Śrīma/t Svarga Deva Śi/va Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1660/ [year]; lion facing left, next to regnal year; octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.63g, year 24, without queen, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Pada/Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simhasya/24 (RB. L4.1, L5.1, L8.1; KM. 104, 102), very fine to good very fine, the Half-Rupee rare (3)

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1661 year 25, 1661 year 26, 1662 year 26, 1662 year 27, citing Queen Sarvveśvari, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Pada/Parãyanãnam/ Śãke/[year], lion running to left, below, rev. Śrī Śrī Śiva/Simha Nr pa Tadva/llabha Śrī Sarvve/śvarī Devīnãm/[regnal year] (RB. M5.2, M6.1, M7.1, M8.1; KM. 112), very fine (4)

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1663, year 27, 1664 year 28, 1664 year 29, 1665 year 30, citing Queen Sarvveśvari, legends as previous lot (RB. M9.1, M10.1, M11.1, M13.1; KM. 112), very fine (4) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£60-80

£80-100

£90-120

£90-120

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343

343

344

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (6), years 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, citing Queen Sarvveśvari, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simha Na/reśvara, rev. Tadvalla/bha Śrī Sarvve/śvarī devīnãm/[regnal year] (RB. M18.1, M19.1, M20.1, M21.2, M22.1, M23.2; KM. 110), very fine (6)

Assam, Śiva Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees, years 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, citing Queen Sarvveśvari, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Simha Ma/hīpa, rev. Tadvalla/bha Śrī Sarvve/śvarī,nãm/[regnal year] (RB. M24.1, M25.1, M26.1, M28.1, M30.2; KM. 108), very fine, the year 25 coin rare (5)

£70-90

£60-80

345 345

Assam, Pramatta Simha (Siu-ning-pha) (1744-51), octagonal Rupee, 11.32g, Ahom legends, dated year 36 (of the 60 year cycle),. Kão boi/Phã Leng-do/n heu, winged lion running to left, below, rev. Chao Siu-/ning-phã pin-/khun lãk-ni/Kãt-keo (RB. N1.1; KM. 123), toned very fine, very rare PROVeNANCe: ex. Bonett collection, 1972. Śiva Simha was succeeded by his brother, Pramatta Simha, whose initial coinage consisted of Rupees in Ahom script with an invocation to the Ahom deity, Lengdon. Thereafter, the coinage reverted to the Assamese-script type exemplified by the earlier coinage of Rudra Simha, and without citing any queen. In fact, from here on, there is no further mention of any queen on the coinage.

£400-600

346 346 (x1.5) 346

347 348

Assam, Pramatta Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, Assamese script, 11.43g, Sk. 1667, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charana/Kamala Madhu/karasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Pramatta/Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1667, lion below, running left (RB. N2.1; KM. 128), good very fine, very rare

£800-1,000

Assam, Pramatta Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Assamese script, Sk. 1667, 1668, 1669 (2), legends as previous lot (RB. N8, N9, N10.1, N10.3; KM. 122), very fine (4)

£60-80

Assam, Pramatta Simha, octagonal Rupees (5), Sk. 1669, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1673, legends as previous lot (RB. N10.5, N11.1, N12.2, N13.1, N14.1: KM. 122), very fine to good very fine (5)

£80-100

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350

349 349

350

Assam, Pramatta Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (3), undated, Śrī Śrī/Śiva Pada/Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Pra/matta Simha/Nr pasya; octagonal Quarter-Rupees (2), Sk. 1667, 1668, Śrī Śrī Pra/matta Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śãke/[date] (RB. N15, N16.1, N17.1; KM. 120, 118), very fine, the Quarter-Rupees scarce (5)

£70-90

Assam, Pramatta Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (5), Sk. 1669, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1673, legends as previous lot (RB. N18.1, N19.1, N20.1, N21.1, N22; KM. 118), very fine, scarce to rare (5)

£100-120

351 351

352

353

352

353

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha (1751-69), octagonal gold Mohur, 11.25g, Sk. 1674, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Rãjeśva/ra Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1674, lion below, running left (RB. O3.1; KM. 142), very fine, rare

£600-800

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.41g, Sk. 1688, legends as previous lot (RB. O11.1; KM. 142), nice very fine, rare

£600-800

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.28g, Sk. 1690, legends as previous lot (RB. O13.1; KM. 142), very fine with slight adhesions, rare

£600-800

354 354 (x1.5) 354

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.31g, Sk. 1675, in Nagari script, Śrī Śrī Mahe/śvarī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda Ma/dhukarasya, lion below, running left, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Rãjeśva/ra Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1675 (RB. O81.1; KM. 150), very fine with some red adhesions, very rare During his reign, Rajeśvara Simha made some one-off innovations to the coinage. In this case he issued a series of coins in Sk. 1675 (AD 1753) in Nagari script instead of the usual Assamese script. These are known in the form of the Mohur, Rupee, half and quarter Rupee. All of these are very rare except the Rupee, which is scarce.

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£1,200-1,500

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355

355

356

356

355 (x1.5)

356 (x1.5)

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal gold 1⁄8-Mohur, 1.40g, undated, obv. Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara; rev. Simha Nr /pasya (RB. O33.1; KM. 137), very fine, rare

£200-250

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, square gold Quarter-Mohur, 2.82g, in Persian script, undated, Srī Rãjesvar Singh, rev. bãd shãh ghãzī (RB. O87.1; KM. 159), with slight red adhesions, nice very fine, extremely rare

£1,200-1,500

The very limited striking of square coins in both gold and silver, in Persian or Assamese script is another innovative feature of this reign. Most of them are very rare or extremely rare.

357 357

358

359

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk. 1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1679, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Rãjeśva/ra Simha Nr pasya/Śãke [date], winged lion running left, below (RB. O36.1, O37, O38.1, O39.1, O40.1, O41.1; KM. 134), very fine (6)

£140-170

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk. 1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, 1684, 1685, legends as previous lot (RB. O42.2, O43.1, O44.1, O45.1, O46.2, O47.1; KM. 134), very fine to good very fine (6)

£140-170

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk. 1686, 1687 lion to left, 1687 lion to right, 1688, 1690 lion to left, 1690 lion to right, legends as previous lot (RB. O48.1, O49.2, O50.1, O51.1, O53.1, O54.1; KM. 134), very fine (6)

£140-170

360 360

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (6), undated, various die varieties, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Pada Parã/yanasya; rev. Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara Simha/Nr pasya (RB. O55; KM. 133), very fine (6) 77

£70-90

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361 361

362

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, square Half-Rupee, 5.61g, Assamese script, undated, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Pada Pa/rãyanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara Sim/ha Nr pasya (RB. O56.1; KM. 133A), very fine, extremely rare

£500-600

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk. 1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1679, obv. Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara Simha/Nṛpasya, rev. Śãke/[date], some coins with a crescent and bead above the first line of the reverse (RB. O57.1, O58.1, O59.1, O60.1, O62.1, O63.1; KM. 132), very fine, scarce (6)

£70-90

363 363

364

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk.1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, 1684, 1685, legends as previous lot (RB. O64.1, O65.2, O67.2, O68.2, O69.1, O70.1; KM. 132), very fine, scarce (6)

£70-90

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (6), Assamese script, Sk. 1686, 1687 (2), 1688, 1689 (2), 1690, legends as previous lot, with simha on the obverse either all on the second line or split between the second and third line (RB. O71.1, O72.1, O73.1, O74.1, O74.3, O76.1; KM. 132), very fine, scarce (6)

£70-90

365 365

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal 1⁄8-Rupees (4), undated, Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara, rev.

Simha Nr pasya or Simha/Nr pasya; octagonal 1⁄16-Rupee, undated, obv. Śrī Rã/jeśvara, rev.

Simha/Nr pasya (RB. O77.1, O78.1, O80.1; KM. 131, A132, 130), very fine (5)

366

366

367

366 (x1.5)

367

Assam, Rajeśvara Simha, square 1⁄8-Rupee, 1.42g, Assamese script, undated, Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara, rev. Simha/Nr pasya (RB.O79.1; KM. -), very fine, extremely rare

£200-300

Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.23g, Nagari script, Sk. 1675, obv. Śrī Śrī Mahe/śvarī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda Ma/dhukarasya, lion running to left below, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Rãjeśva/ra Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1675 (RB. O82.1; KM. 145), very fine, scarce

£50-60

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£40-50

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368 368

369

Rajeśvara Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.65g, Nagari script, undated, Śrī Śrī Śi/va Pada Parã/yanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Rã/jeśvara Sim/ha Nr pasya (RB. O83.1; KM. 144), very fine, very rare

£100-200

While the Rupees of this Nagari-script issue are scarce, the fractions are all very rare and hardly ever turn up.

369

Rajeśvara Simha, square Rupee, 11.28g, Persian script, Sk. (1)674, Rangpur mint, īn sikkah zad chū h aq ze mihr mãh, srī rãjesvara singh sulṭãn ‘ãlam panãh (Sri Rajesvara Simha, refuge of the world, struck this coin truly like the sun and the moon), rev. ẓarb rangpūr sanah 674 jalūs maimanat mãnūs, small winged lion running to right, at bottom (RB. O88.1; KM. 155), good very fine, scarce

371

370 370

371

Assam, Lakshmi Simha (Siu-nyeo-pha) (1770-80), octagonal gold Mohur, 11.38g, Assamese script, Sk. 1694, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charanãra/vinda Makaranda/ Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Laksmī/Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1694, lion below, running right (RB. Q4.1; KM. 188), good very fine, rare

£700-900

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, gold Half-Mohur, 5.71g, undated, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/da Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī La/ksmī Simha/Narendrasya (RB. Q9.1; KM. 187), very fine, rare

£300-400

372

372

373

£150-200

372 (x1.5)

373

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, gold Quarter-Mohur, 2.84g, Sk. 1694, Śrī Śrī La/ksmī Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śãke/1694 (RB. Q16.1; KM. 185), good very fine, rare

£200-300

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.27g, Ahom script, dated the first year (of the 60 year cycle), khut/si Leng-do/n heu chiu, rev. siu-/nyeo-phã/Nyãm-mong lãk-/ni Kãp-cheu, winged lion below, running left (RB. Q2.1; KM. 182B), good very fine, very rare

£400-600

The death of Rajeśvara Simha in 1769 led to a succession dispute between those supporting Rudra Simha’s youngest son, Lakshmi Simha, and those supporting Rajeśvara’s son. In the meantime, power was in the hand of the Borbarua, one of the five councillors of state, who, on one occasion, seriously offended the Moamaria Gosain, a caste of Assamese Brahmins who were devotees of Vishnu and bore a grudge against the Ahom rulers. The Moamarias rebelled, captured the Ahom capital, and placed their own king on the throne in the form of Ramakanta Simha. A few coins of this king are known and one remains in the Rhodes collection. The Moamaria rebellion was soon quelled and, in 1770, Lakshmi Simha retook possession of the throne and issued some Ahom-legend coins, with their invocation to Pha Lengdon.

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374 374

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.17g, Assamese script, Sk. 1692, with invocation to Vishnu and Śiva, Śrī Śrī Ha/ri Hara Parama/Pada Padma Pa/rãyanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Laksmī/Simha Nṛpasya/Śãke 1692, lion running right, below; Half-Rupee, 5.68g, undated, Śrī Śrī Ha/ri Hara Pada/Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī La/ksmī Simha Na/rendrasya (RB. Q23.1, 35.1; KM. 181, 177), very fine to good very fine, scarce (2) In his first year, apart from the very rare Ahom-legend coins, Lakshmi Simha issued two types of Assamese-legend coins, this one with its Vaishnava invocations and the usual Śivaite type with its invocation to Hara and Gauri. The former may have been issued as an attempt to appease the Moamarias.

£70-90

375 375

376

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Assamese script, Sk. 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, with invocation to Śiva and Parvati, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charanãra/vinda Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Laksmī/Simha Nr pasya/Śãke [date], lion running right, below (RB. Q24, Q26, Q27, Q28; KM. 182), very fine (4)

£90-120

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupees (5), type and legends as previous lot, Sk. 1696 (2) (die variants), 1697, 1698, 1699 (RB. Q29.1, Q29.3, Q30.1, Q31, Q32.1; KM. 182), very fine (5)

£100-130

377 377

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.34g, Sk. 1700, type and legend as previous lot but rare date (RB. Q33.1; KM. 182), very fine The Rupees of the last years of Lakshmi Simha’s reign are surprisingly rare, especially those of Sk. 1701 (see next lot). When writing their book, RB had not come across any Rupee dated Sk. 1702, although Quarter-Rupees of that date are quite common.

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£60-80

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378 378

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.27g, Sk. 1701, type and legend as previous lot but rare date (RB. Q34.1; KM. 182), very fine

£60-80

379 379

380

381

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, square Rupee, 11.25g, Assamese script, Sk. 1693, legends in four lines on both sides with invocation to Śiva and Parvati, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Chara/nãravinda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Laksmī/Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1693, lion running left, below (RB. Q25.1; KM. 182A), choice very fine, very rare

£400-600

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees, undated, with invocation to Śiva and Parvati, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/da Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī La/ksmī Simha Na/rendrasya, with some variation in the layout of the legends on either side, and one coin with 1 in the lower border (RB. Q36, Q37, Q39.1, Q39.2, Q40.1, Q43.1; KM. 178,179, 180), very fine (6)

£70-90

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, “country-made” Half-Rupees (10), undated, with the usual Hara Gaurī legends but lighter in weight than the official coins and often with more crudely engraved legends, very fine (10)

£80-100

These “country-made” coins appear to be contemporary imitations of the official coins.

They are usually lighter in weight than the official coins and their engraving varies quite a lot. They are apparently frequently found in hoards alongside the officially made coins.

Such coins of Lakshmi Simha are illustrated and described on pages 119-120 of RB.

382

382

383

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees, Sk. 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, Śrī Śrī La/ksmī Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śake/[date] (RB. Q47.2, Q48.1, Q49.1, Q50, Q51, Q52.1; KM. 176), very fine to extremely fine (6)

£80-100

Assam, Lakshmi Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (7), Sk. 1698, 1699 (2), 1700, 1701, 1702 (2), legends as previous lot; octagonal 1⁄8-Rupees (3), undated, obv. Śrī Śrī La/ksmī, rev. Simha/Nṛpasya; 1⁄16-Rupee, undated (RB. Q53, Q54.1, Q55, Q56.1, Q57.1, Q59, Q60.1; KM. 176, 175, 174), very fine (11)

£100-120

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384 384 (x1.5) 384

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha (1780-95), octagonal gold Mohur, 11.25g, Ahom legends, dated year 13 (of the 60 year cycle), Chao Boi/Phã Leng-de/don Heu Ciu, rev. Siu-hit-/ pang-phã/Khun ngen Lã/k-ni Rãi-cheu (RB. R1.1; KM. 233), a couple of small punchmarks on the obverse, of the highest rarity, good very fine PROVeNANCe: Spink-Taisei, 20th November 1991, lot 453 ex. Sir G Morton, Glendinnings, 23rd May 1951 According to RB (p. 25), only one such Ahom-script Mohur has survived.

Gaurinatha Simha’s reign was full of problems. It was not long before the Moamarias again attempted to rebel. This was unsuccessful and led to persecution of the Vaisnavas.

This, in turn, led to a serious revolt in 1789 (Sk. 1709), resulting in Gaurinatha fleeing from Rangpur to Guwahati. The rebels extended their control of upper Assam and, by 1791 (Sk. 1713), had installed their own king, Bharatha Simha, and began to strike coins in his name. Gaurinatha, confined to the western end of his kingdom and about to lose control of Guwahati, appealed to the British for help. This was too good an opportunity for the British to ignore, so they sent six companies of sepoys under Capt. Welsh, recaptured Guwahati, and a year later managed to reinstall Gaurinatha on his throne in Rangpur.

386

385 385

386

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.23g, Assamese script, Sk. 1705, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charanãra/vinda Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Gaurīnã/tha Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1705, lion below, running left (RB. R3.1; KM. 229), slightly crimped, good very fine, rare

£600-800

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.25g, Assamese script, Sk. 1706, year 5, legends as previous type, but different date and 5 to the left of the lion (RB. R4.1, KM. 229), very fine, rare

£600-800

387 387

388

388

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 10.80g, Assamese script, Sk. 1707, year 6, obv. Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya; rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Gaurīnã/tha Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1707, lion below, running left, year 6 to left of lion (RB. R6.1; KM. 231), fine, rare

£500-700

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Mohur, 11.21g, Assamese script, Sk. 1716, year 15, legends as previous lot but different date and year (1)5 to the left of the lion (RB. R12.1; KM. 231), very fine, rare

£600-800

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£3,000-4,000

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390

389 389

390

391

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Half-Mohur, 5.70g, Assamese script, undated, Gau/rīnãtha Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/da Parasya (RB. R16.1; KM. 228), good very fine, rare Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Quarter-Mohur, 2.79g, Assamese script, Sk. 1706, without regnal year, Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śãke 1706 (RB. -; KM. 227), very fine, rare RB does not list a Quarter-Mohur of Sk. 1706 without a regnal year below the date.

This coin has a bead pattern and was presumably struck just before the decision to include the regnal year was made.

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Quarter-Mohur, 2.78g, Assamese script, Sk. 1711, no regnal year, Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śãke 1711 (RB. R23.1; KM. 227), good very fine, rare During the period Sk. 1710 to 1715, when Gaurinatha Simha was either in Guwahati or seeking, with British help, to regain his throne, far fewer coins seem to have been struck, especially Rupees, some dates of which are very rare.

392 392

393 394

391

393

£350-450

£250-300

£250-300

393 (x1.5)

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold Quarter-Mohur, 2.63g, Assamese script, Sk. 1717 year 16, as previous lot but different date and regnal year below date (RB. - ; KM. 227 for type), very fine, rare RB do not list a Quarter-Mohur for Sk. 1717 with or without regnal year.

£250-300

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal gold 1⁄8-Mohur, 1.42g, Assamese script, undated, Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha, rev. Simha/Nr pasya (RB. R28.1; KM. 226), good very fine, rare

£150-200

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (5), Sk. 1703 lion to right, Sk. 1703 lion to left, Sk. 1704 lion to left, Sk. 1705, lion to left, Sk. 1706 year 5, lion to left, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charanã ra/vinda Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Gaurīnã/tha Simha Nr pasya/Śake [date], lion at bottom to left or right (RB. R31, R32.1, R33, R34.1, R35.1; KM. 214, 215, 216), very fine (5)

£120-150

395 395

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1706 year 5, regnal year to the left of the lion, Sk. 1706 year 5, regnal year to the right of the lion, Sk. 1707 year 6, Sk. 1708 year 7, legends as previous lot (RB. R36, R37.1, R39, R40; KM. 216, -, 218), very fine to good very fine (4) 83

£90-120

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396 396

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (4), Sk. 1709 year 8, die varieties, legends as previous lot (RB. R41; KM. 218), very fine (4)

397 397

£80-100

398

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.27g, Sk. 1710, no regnal year, legends as previous lot (RB. R42; KM. 218), very fine, very rare date

£100-120

Rupees dated Sk. 1710 to 1715 are either rare or very rare. During this period Gaurinatha had either fled from Rangpur, his former capital, to Guwahati, or was on his way back with the sepoys sent by the British, who were to help him regain it from the rebels.

398

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.08g, Sk. 1712, year 11, legends as previous lot, but with regnal year to the left of the lion (RB. R45.2; KM. 218), about good very fine, rare date

399 399

400

401

£60-80

400

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.00g, Sk. 1713 year 12, legends as previous lot (RB. R46.2; KM. 218), very fine, rare date

£60-80

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.14g, Sk. 1715 year 14, legends as previous lot (RB. R48.2; KM. 218), very fine, rare date

£60-80

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Sk. 1716, die variants, legends as previous lots (RB. R50, R51.1, R52.1, R52.3, R54?; KM. 218), very fine, one coin with edge defect (6)

£100-120

The year Sk. 1716 saw a considerable increase in the production of coinage, with many different dies being used, a goodly number of which are listed separately in RB. It is, however, not always easy or possible to identify coins according to the illustrations and descriptions.

402

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (6), Sk. 1716, die variants, legends as previous lots (RB. R52, R.53.1, R53.2, R.53.3; KM. 218), very fine (6) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£100-120

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403

404 403

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.43g, Sk. 1716 with “68” at the bottom of the obverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. R59.1; KM. 223), very fine, rare

£60-80

The significance of the number “68” on this coin is not known.

404

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.32g, 11.34g, Sk. 1716 with “1” at the bottom of the obverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. 55; KM. 219), very fine, rather scarce (2)

£50-60

The number “1” on these coins may refer to the first regnal year of the king’s reinstallation at Rangpur, but this is not certain.

405 405

406

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.20g, Sk. 1716 with “di” at the bottom of the reverse to the left of the lion, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. 58.1; KM. 220), good very fine, rare

£60-80

RB believes that “di” indicates that such coins were struck at a mint at the town of Dichoi. The letter occurs on coins of both Sk. 1716 and 1717.

406

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 10.98g, Sk. 1716 with “na” at the bottom of the obverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. 57.1; KM. 222), very fine, rare

£60-80

According to RB, the “na” could refer to a mint at Nagaon or to one of the alternative names for Dichoi, i.e. Na-gagar or Na-bahor.

407 407

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.40g, Sk. 1716 with “ha” at the bottom of the obverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. 56.1; KM. 221), very fine, rare The “ha” on this coin may stand for Harboigaon, a place located near Nagaon, where the king spent some time during AD 1794 (Sk. 1716).

85

£60-80

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409

408 408

409

410

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 11.13, 11.23g, Sk. 1717, one with “di” at the bottom of the reverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. R60, R63.1; KM. 218, 220), very fine, second coin rare (2)

£80-100

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.23g, Sk. 1717 with “16” to the right of the lion at the bottom of the reverse, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. 62.1; KM. 218), very fine, rare

£60-80

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (5), undated with Simha, undated with Sim/ha, year “5”, undated with Si/mha, year “5” but different style, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/da Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha Simha/(or Sim/ha, Si/mha) Nr pasya with year, where present, at the bottom of the reverse (RB. R64.1, R65.1, R66.1, R67, R68; KM. 204, 205), very fine (5)

£60-80

411 411

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees, year “6”?, year “7”?, year “8”, year “16”, “1” at bottom of obverse, legends as previous lot, Sim/ha or Si/mha (RB. R69, R70, R71.1, R76, R77.1; KM. 205, 207), very fine (5)

412 412

£60-80

413

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 5.65g, year “13”, legends as previous lots, with Sim/ha (RB. 73.1; KM. 205), very fine, very rare year

£60-80

One of the rare issues from the ruler’s Guwahati years, as is the next lot.

413

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 5.49g, year “15”, legends as previous lot but Si/mha (RB. 75.1; KM. 205), very fine, very rare year WWW.SpinK.Com

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£60-80

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414 414

415

415

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (2), 5.71g, 5.67g, undated, one with “na” at bottom of the obverse, one with “na” at bottom of the reverse, legends as previous lots, with Si/mha (RB. R79.1; R80.1), very fine, rare (2)

£70-90

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Rupees (3), 5.69g, 5.65g, 5.62g, undated, one with “ha” at bottom of obverse and “na” at bottom of reverse, another with “ha” at the bottom of the obverse, and the third with “pa” at the bottom of the obverse, otherwise legends as previous lot (RB. 81.1, 82.1, 83.1; KM. 213, 209, -), very fine, rare (3)

£90-100

The “pa” on the third coin may well represent another mint, as yet undetermined.

416

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (7), all undated and without additional letters, die varieties, legends as previous lots (RB. 87; KM. 204), very fine (7)

£70-90

417

417

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, “country-made” octagonal Rupee, 11.12g, dated “Śake 12”, octagonal “country-made” Half-Rupees (3), all undated, usual legends but rather crudely engraved, very fine (4)

£50-60

See RB pages 120-121, item 44 for the Rupee, and page 121, items 45-50 for the HalfRupee type. They are all rather crudely engraved, the Rupee also with a meaningless Śaka date. They will have been made at unofficial mints and are found with genuine coins in hoards.

418

419

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (6), Sk. 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706 year 5, 1707 year 6, 1708, obv. Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha Si/mha (or Simha) Nr pasya, rev. Śake date, with or without regnal year below (RB. 91.1, 92.1, 93.1, 95, 96, 97; KM. 198), very fine to good very fine (6)

£60-80

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees, Sk. 1708, 1708 year 7, 1709, 1709 year 8 (2 varieties), 1716, legends as previous lot (RB. 97.1, 99.1, 101.1, 102.1, 103, 112.1; KM. 198), very fine (6)

£60-80

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420 420

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees, Sk. 1711, Sk. 1712 year 11, Sk. 1715 year 14, legends as previous lots with either Simha or Si/mha (RB. R105, R108.2, R111.2; KM. 198), very fine rare (3)

£80-100

These rare coins were struck during the ruler’s Guwahati period, when his capital, Rangpur, was in the hands of the Moamaria rebels.

421

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (4), Sk. 1716 with “1” below, Sk. 1716 with “ha” below, Sk. 1717, Sk. 1717 with “16” below, legends as previous lots (RB. R113.1, R114.1, R116, R118; KM. 198, 199), very fine, RB. 114 and 118 rare (4)

£70-90

422 422

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupees (3), Sk. 1717 with “di” below, Sk. 1717 with “ra” at the bottom of the obverse and “16” at the bottom of the reverse, Sk. 1717 with “16” at the bottom of the reverse with “pa” to the right of it, legends otherwise as previous lots (RB. R117.1, R120.1, R123.1; KM. 202, -), very fine, rare (3)

£90-100

The “di” is believed to represent a mint at Dichoi, the “ra” possibly for Rangpur, but unlikely as this town was surrendered to the Moamarias soon after Gaurinatha’s reinstallation ceremony in Sk. 1716. The “pa” remains unexplained but, again, could well refer to a mint at another as yet unidentified town.

423

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal 1⁄8-Rupees (5), undated except for one with “1” at the bottom of the obverse, Śrī Śrī Gau/rīnãtha, rev. Simha Nr /pasya or Nṛpasya; octagonal 1⁄16-Rupees (3), undated, one with “ra” at bottom of obverse, Śrī Gau/rīnãtha, rev. Simha/Nṛpasya; octagonal 1⁄32-Rupees (5), undated, Śrī/Gau, rev. rīnã/thasya (RB. R124.1, R126.1, R127.1, R128.1, R130.1, R132.1; KM. 196, 197, 193, 194?, 190), very fine, R.127, R130 rare (13)

£100-130

The striking of small ⁄32-Rupees was an innovation introduced towards the end of Gaurinatha’s reign, when he was based at Dichoi. Their purpose was said to be for making small charitable donations as there was a shortage of cowries.

1

424

Assam, Gaurinatha Simha, octagonal “country-made” 1⁄16-, 1⁄32-Rupees (10), usual legends but slightly light in weight and more crudely engraved, very fine (10) See RB page 121, items 51-54.

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£40-50

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425 425

426

Assam, Kamaleśvara Simha (1795-1810), octagonal Rupee, 11.24g, Sk. 1720, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Kamaleśva/ra Simha Narendrasya/Śake 1720, winged lion running left below (RB. S5.1; KM. 238), toned very fine, very rare

£250-300

After the death of Gaurinatha Simha, one of his descendents, Kamaleśwara, was placed on the throne by the all-powerful Burha Gohain. The three Gohains were very important councillors of state, little inferior to the king in rank. Although Kamaleśwara began his reign in Sk. 1717 (AD 1795), no coins are known in his name until Sk. 1720 (AD 1798) and even these are all very rare. It seems as though hardly any coins were struck in Assam throughout the whole of Kamaleśvara’s reign, unless coins continued to be struck posthumously in the name of Gaurinatha Simha.

426

Assam, Brajnatha Simha (1817/18 - 1819), octagonal gold Mohur, 11.34g, Sk. 1739, Śrī Śrī Rãdhã/Krishṇa Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Brajanã/tha Simha/Nr pasya/Śãke 1739, lion below, running to left (RB. T1.2; KM. 271), good very fine, rare

£800-1,000

When Kamaleśvara Simha died in 1810, his younger brother, Chandrakanta Simha, replaced him. No coins are known in his name during this, the first of his two reigns. In 1816, a disgraced minister, the Bar Phukan, invited the Burmese to invade Assam. This they did, promoting the Bar Phukan to the position of Chief Minister and after receiving a large indemnity, they returned home. The new Chief Minister made many enemies and was soon assassinated. Nor did he have any supporters so the son of the late Burha Gohain, having taken refuge in Guwahati, was invited back as Chief Minister. This latter did not support Chandrakanta Simha, as he thought he was responsible for the recent travails that had beset the state; rather, he espoused the cause of Brajnatha Simha, a greatgrandson of Rajeśvara Simha. Chandrakanta fled to Rangpur, and Brajnatha took his place. Interestingly, it is reported that the priests were not willing to formally install Brajnatha as king as he had a mutilated ear, it being an Ahom custom that the king should have no disfigurement. Instead they installed his young son, Purandara Simha, as king in his stead. effectively it must have been Brajnatha who held all the power as coins are known in his name, while none are known in the name of his son. No coins of Brajnatha Simha are common; they vary from scarce to very rare.

427

427

428

428

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.19g, Sk. 1739, Śrī Śrī Rãdhã/Krishṇa Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Brajanã/tha Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1739, lion running left below (RB. T8; KM. 265), toned, about good very fine, scarce

£60-80

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.34g, Sk. 1739, legends as previous lot (RB. T8; KM. 265), toned very fine, scarce

£60-80

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429 429

430

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.32g, Sk. 1740, legends as previous lot, but different and scarcer date (RB. T9.2; KM. 265), toned good very fine, very scarce

£70-90

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.68g, undated, Śrī Śrī Rã/dhã Krishṇa Pa/da Parasya; rev. Śrī Śrī Bra/janãtha Si/mha Nṛpasya; Quarter-Rupee, 2.79g, Sk. 1739, Śrī Śrī Bra/janãtha Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śake 1739 ; 1⁄8-Rupee, 1.47g, undated, Śrī Śrī Bra/janãtha, rev. Simha/Nr pasya; 1⁄16-Rupee, 0.70g, undated, Śrī Bra/janãtha, rev. Simha/Nr pasya; 1⁄32-Rupee, 0.32g, undated, Śrī Bra, rev. janãthasya (RB. T10, T12.1, T15.2, T16.1, T17; KM. 264, 263, 262, 261, 260), very fine, all scarce (5)

£120-150

431

431

432

432

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.65g, undated, Quarter-Rupee, 2.82g, Sk. 1740, 1⁄8-Rupee, 1.46g, undated, Śrī Śrī Bra/janãtha, rev. Simha Nr /pasya, 1 ⁄16-Rupee, 0.72g, 1⁄32-Rupee, 0.34g, legends as previous lot except for the 1⁄8-Rupee (RB. T10, T13.1, T14, T16.1, T17; KM. 264, 263, 262, 261, 260), very fine, all scarce (5)

£120-150

Assam, Brajnatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (2), 5.67, 5.60g, undated, legends as in previous lots (RB. T10; KM. 264), toned very fine (2)

£70-80

433 433 (x2)

433

434

Assam, Chandrakanta Simha, second reign (1819-21), octagonal gold 1⁄16-Mohur, 0.74g, Śrī Cha/ndrakãnta, rev. Simha Na/rendrasya (RB. u5.1; KM. 253), very fine, very rare

£300-400

In 1819, supporters of Chandrakanta again sought help from the Burmese. The latter agreed to help them and successfully invaded Assam. This time they did not return home but stayed, having restored Chandrakanta to the throne. The king, however, was dissatisfied with being a Burmese puppet and fled to British territory from where he made a number of unsuccessful raids against the Burmese. When the Burmese failed to coax Chandrakanta back to Assam, they replace him with an Ahom prince of uncertain ancestory by name of Jogeśvara Simha.

434

Assam, Chandrakanta Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.29g, Sk. 1741, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gaurī Charanãra/vinda Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Chandrakã/nta Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1741, lion running left, below (RB. u7; KM. 250), toned very fine, rare WWW.SpinK.Com

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£150-200

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435 436 435

436

Assam, Chandrakanta Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.19g, Sk. 1742, legends as previous lot, apart from the date (RB. u8; KM. 250), toned very fine, rare

£150-200

Assam, Chandrakanta Simha, octagonal Half-Rupee, 5.65g, undated, Śrī Śrī Ha/ra Gaurī Pa/da Parasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Chandra/kãnta Simha/Narendrasya; Quarter-Rupee, 2.80g, Sk. 1742, Śrī Śrī Chandra/kãnta Simha/Narendrasya; rev. Śake/1742 (RB. u10, u12.2; KM. 249, 248), very fine to good very fine, scarce to rare (2)

£100-120

437 437

438

438

Assam, Chandrakanta Simha, octagonal 1⁄8-Rupee, 1.40g, Śrī Śrī Cha/ndrakãnta, rev. Simha Na/rendrasya, 1⁄16-Rupee, 0.7g, Śrī Cha/ndrakãnta, rev. Simha Na/rendrasya, 1 ⁄32-Rupees (2), 0.35g, different varieties: obv. Śrī Cha/ndr, rev. kãnta/sya; obv. Śrī Cha/ndrakãnta, rev. kãnta/sya; obv. struck from dies meant for 1⁄16-Rupee, all undated (RB. u13.1, u14.1, u15.2, u15.4; KM. 247, 246, 245), very fine, all scarce to very scarce (4)

£100-150

Assam, Jogeśvara Simha (1821-24), octagonal Rupee, 11.16g, Sk. 1743, Śrī Śrī Hara/Gauri Charana Ka/mala Makaranda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Śvarga/Deva Śrī Joge/śvara Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1743 (RB. V2.1; KM. 277), about good very fine, with some slight red adhesions, extremely rare

£300-400

Very few coins of Jogeśvara Simha are known.

439 440 439

440

Assam, Jogeśvara Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.81g, Sk. 1743, Śrī Śrī Jo/geśvara Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śake 1743, (RB. V5.4; KM. 275), good very fine, very rare

Assam, Bharatha Simha (1789-94, 1796-97), octagonal Rupee, 11.26g, Sk. 1713, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ shṇa Cha/ranãravinda Ma/karanda Pramatta/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Bhagada/tta Kulodbhava Śrī/Bharatha Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1713, winged lion running right, below (RB. 5.1; KM. 405), very fine, scarce

The Moamarias installed Bharatha Simha as king in Rangpur, while Gaurinatha Simha was in exile in Guwahati. Coins were struck in his name for three years during that exile and then again for a couple of years after Gaurinatha’s death. The mintplace is not known for sure but it was probably Rangpur. On his coins, Bharatha claims descent from Bhagadatta, a legendary king of Assam and also invokes Krishna, in line with his strong Vaisnava faith.

91

£150-200

£50-70

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441 441

442

443

442

443

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.30g, Sk. 1714, Śrī Śrī Kṛshṇa/ Charanãravinda Ma/karanda Pramatta Ma/dhukarasya, rev. Śrī Bhagadatta/ Kulodbhava Śrī Bha/ratha Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1714, winged lion running right, below (RB. W6.1; KM. 405), very fine, scarce

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.34g, Sk. 1715, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ shṇa/ Charanãravinda/Makaranda Pramatta Ma/dhukarasya, rev. Śrī Bhagadatta/ Kulodbhava Śrī Bha/ratha Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1715, winged lion running right, below (RB. W8; KM. 405), very fine, scarce

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.30g, Sk. 1718, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ shn ̣ a/ Charanãravinda/Makaranda Pramatta/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Bhagadatta/ Kulodbhava Śrī Bha/ratha Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1718, winged lion running left, below (RB. W9.2; KM. 405), very fine, scarce

£50-70

£50-70

£50-70

444 445 444

445

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.09g, Sk. 1719, legends as previous lot (RB. W10.1; KM. 405), very fine

£50-70

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (2), 5.61, 4.79g, undated, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ /shṇa Pada Par/ãyanasya and Pa/rãyanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Bha/ratha Simha Na/rendrasya (RB. W11, W12.1; KM. 404), very fine to about good very fine, scarce (2)

£60-80

446

446

447

448

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.72g, Sk. 1713, Śrī Śrī Bha/ratha Simha/Nr pasya, rev. Śake/1713 (RB. 13.2; KM. 403), very fine, very rare

£60-80

The Quarter-Rupees of this ruler are much rarer than the Rupees and Half-Rupees.

447

448

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.77g, Sk. 1714, legends as previous lot (RB. W14.1; KM. 403), very fine, very rare

£60-80

Assam, Bharatha Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.79g, Sk. 1715, legends as previous lot (RB. W15.1; KM. 403), about very fine, very rare

£50-60

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450

450 (x1.5)

449 449

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha (1793-95), in Matak, octagonal gold Mohur, 10.69g, Sk. 1715, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ shn ̣ a/Charana Kamala/Makaranda Ma/dhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Sarvvã/nanda Simha Nr pasya/Śãke 1715, lion below, running to left (RB. X1.1; KM. 314), very fine with some old red adhesions, very rare

£800-1,000

When Bharatha Simha was expelled from Rangpur, another Moamaria rebel, Sarvvananda Simha, set himself up as Raja of Matak, with his capital at Bengmara. Hardly anything is known about him except that he struck coins during the years Sk. 1715-1717 and appears to have handed control of the rebellion back to Bharatha as soon as the latter started striking coins again.

450

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal gold Quarter-Mohur, Sk. 1716, Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvã/nanda Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śãke/1716 (RB. X3.1; KM. 312), very fine, very rare

451 451

452

£300-400

452

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Rupees, 11.21, 10.43g, Sk. 1715, Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ shn ̣ a/Charana Kamala/Makaranda Ma/dhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Sarvvã/nanda Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1715, lion running to left at bottom (RB. X4.2, X4.4; KM. 307), very fine to good very fine, scarce (2)

£80-100

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Rupees, 11.21g, 11.06g, Sk. 1716, legends as previous lot but Sarvvãna/nda, lion to right, die varieties (RB. X5; KM. 308), good very fine (2)

£80-100

453 453

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Rupee, 11.42g, Sk. 1717, obv. Śrī Śrī Kṛshn ̣ a/Pãda Padma Dvanda/Makaranda Bṛnda/Madhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Svarga/Deva Śrī Sarvvãna/nda Simha Nr pasya/Śake 1717, lion running to left at bottom (RB. X8.2; KM. 309), very fine, scarce 93

£50-60

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456 454 454

455

456

455

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (2), 5.63, 5.70g, undated, different obverse legends, and slightly different reverse legends: obv. Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ /shn ̣ a Charana Ma/dhukarasy, rev. Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda Si/mha Nr pasya, obv. Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ /shn ̣ a Pada Pa/rãyanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda Si/mha Nr pasya (RB. X10, X11.1; KM. 304, 306), very fine, scarce (2)

£70-90

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Half-Rupees (2), 5.85, 5.69g, undated, different obverse legends, and slightly different reverse legends: obv. Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ /shn ̣ a Charana Ma/dhukarasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda Si/mha Nr pasya, obv. Śrī Śrī Kr ̣ /shn ̣ a Pada Pa/rãyanasya, rev. Śrī Śrī Sarvvã/nanda Simha Na/rendrasya (RB. X.10, X12.1; KM. 303, 306), very fine to good very fine, scarce (2)

£70-90

Assam, Sarvvananda Simha, octagonal Quarter-Rupee, 2.68g, Sk. 1715, Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda Si/mha Nr pasya, rev. Śake 1715, somewhat crude style, as is often the case with coins of this year, 1⁄8-Rupees (2), 1.4g, undated, Śrī Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda, rev. Simha Nr ̣ /pasya, 1⁄16-Rupee, 0.64g, undated, Śrī Sa/rvvãnanda, rev. Simha/Nr ̣ pasya (RB. X13.1, X16, X18.1; KM. 302, 301, 300), very fine, first and last coin very rare, others rare (4)

£150-180

457 457

Assam, base silver religious amulets (4): octagonal imitating rupees of Gaurinatha Simha (2), another shaped rather like an arrow head, and the last an octagonal Rama Tanka, with the usual scene on one side and the hara gauri charana… legend on the other, very fine (4)

£80-100

These types are illustrated and described on pages 124 and 125 of RB, items 69, 70, 71.

458 458

Assam, gold jewellery imitations of 1⁄16-Mohurs of Rajeśvara Simha (4), 0.60-0.70g, very fine, two with rings for suspension (4) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£70-80

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SULTANATE COINS SULTANS OF BENGAL

459 459

460

Sultans of Bengal, Jalal al-Din Fath (AH 886-893; AD 1481-86), commemorative Tanka, 10.49g, AH 890, without mintname, al-sulṭãn ibn al-sulṭãn jalãl al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar, rev. fath shãh al-sulṭãn ibn mah mūd shãh al-sulṭãn kūchmard shãhī, both sides within a very decorative border (G&G. B614, this coin), a few shroff-marks, about very fine, extremely rare

£250-300

This issue commemorates a successful military campaign into the Koch country to the north of the sultanate.

460

Sultans of Bengal, Shams al-Din Muzaffar (AH 896-899; AD 1490-93), commemorative Tanka, 10.53g, AH 898, without mintname, fatḥ al-mulk al-‘ãdil albãdhil al-mujãhid sa‘d al-dīn nãṣir amīr al-mu’minīn al-mukhãṭib shams al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l nasãr, rev. Kalima in the centre, around, in the margin: muẓaffar shãh al-sulṭãn khallad allãh mulkahu was sulṭãnahu kamtã mardan fī 898 (G&G. B682), margin rather weakly struck, mark on reverse, about very fine, rare

£150-200

This rare issue, which is known in two varieties, commemorates a successful military campaign in the Kamta area of present-day Assam. The obverse legend translates as: “The victory of the just and generous king, the warrior, fortunate in the faith, the helper of the Commander of the Faithful, who is called Shams al-Dunya” etc.

461

461

462

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain (AH 899-925; AD 1493-1519), commemorative Tanka, first “victory” type, 10.67g, AH 900, Dar al-D ̣ arb (Zarb), al-sulṭãn al-mutawakkil ‘alã’llãh al-fatḥ al-kãmrū wa’l-kamtã bi-‘inãyat allãh ‘alã al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar ḥusain shãh fatḥ kamtã, rev. Kalima, mint and date in field, four rashidun in the margin (G&G. B717), couple of small shroff-marks on the reverse, good very fine, very scarce

£100-150

This first victory type was issued before the successful campaigns in Jajnagar and Orissa, which are celebrated on later issues.

462

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tanka, first “victory” type, 10.60g, AH 899, Sharifabad, legends as on previous lot, this mint for the type not in G&G., shroff-mark on reverse, good very fine, very rare While all other dated coins of this overall type have the date 900, the reverse of this coin is dated 899, which suggests a reverse die of the previous year was used.

95

£150-200

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463 463

464

464

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tanka, first “victory” type, 10.37g, no mint or date, legends as on previous lot (G&G. B720), very fine, rare

£60-80

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tanka, fourth “victory” type, 10.46g, Barbakabad, date uncertain, see note for legends (G&G. B737, but somewhat cruder style), slight adhesion, good very fine, rare

£60-80

The fourth victory type is the most common of this commemorative series of issues.

The legends are: al-sulṭãn al-fatḥ al-kãmrū wa kamta wa jãjnagar wa urissa ‘alã al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar ḥusain shãh al-sulṭãn bin sayyid ashraf al-ḥusainī khallada allãh mulkahu wa sulṭãnahu spread over the two sides. It thus celebrates campaigns into four different territories.

465 465

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tanka, fourth “victory” type, 10.64g, Barbakabad, fictitious date “762,” legends as previous lot (G&G. B737, this coin), small weakly struck area, good very fine, rare

£60-80

466 466

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tankas (3), fourth “victory” type, Dar al-D ̣ arb (Zarb), AH 921, 923 (2), legends as previous lot (G&G. B738), very fine to good very fine (3)

£70-90

One coin is clearly dated 923, another has 963 instead of 923 (the second digit has been reversed), and the third coin has 621, which presumably is meant to be 921.

467

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tankas (2), fourth “victory” type, Fathabad, AH “89”, Husainabad, legends as previous lot (G&G. B739, 741), very fine to good very fine, some shroff-marks on the first (2) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£50-60

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469

468 468

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tankas (2), fourth “victory” type, Muhammadabad, AH 925, 921, legends as previous lot (G&G B. B746), first slightly crimped and with a flan defect on the reverse, good very fine, second, extremely fine (2)

£90-100

Muhammadabad is the only mint operating during the Husaini dynasty that consistently has the actual date of striking on the coins. Other mints have fixed dates or a mixture of actual dates and garbled dates. On the first of these two coins where the date has been read as AH 925 (a date not recorded in G&G for this ruler), the last digit is not altogether certain but it does resemble most a 5, albeit “on its back”.

469

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Husain, commemorative Tanka, fourth “victory” type, 10.63g, no date visible on the coin, mint not certain, possibly Sharifabad, legends as previous lot (cf. G&G B746A), small weakly struck area, good very fine, probably very rare

£50-70

Most of the mint name is visible on the coin and can be read as “-ifabad”. On G&G type 746A, the “Shar” part of the mint name is below the “if ” part of the name. On the present coin, it is not visible and the positioning of khallada allah mulkahu relative to the mint name is different.

470 470

471

471

472

Sultans of Bengal, Nasir al-Din Nusrat (AH 925-938; AD 1519-31), Tanka, 10.47g, Muhammadabad, AH 936, al-sulṭãn bin al-sulṭãn nãṣir al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar, rev. nuṣrat shãh sulṭãn bin ḥusain shãh sulṭãn ḥusainī khallada mulkahu muh ammadãbãd 936 (G&G. B837), good very fine

£40-60

Sultans of Bengal, Nasir al-Din Nusrat, Tanka, 10.66g, Tirhut Mardan, undated, legends similar to previous lot (G&G. B883), very fine, scarce

£50-60

The reading of the mint name as Tirhut Mardan, which would commemorate a military campaign into Tirhut is by no means certain. In JONS 207 (2011), Russel Haque and Nicholas Rhodes suggested the reading could instead be read as Sirhat mardan, i.e. the subduing of Sirhat (Sylhet).

472

Sultans of Bengal, ‘Ala al-Din Firuz II (AH 938-939; AD 1531-32), Tanka, 10.60g, Tirhut Mardan, undated, al-sulṭãn ibn al-sulṭãn ‘alã al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar, rev. fīrūz shãh sulṭãn ibn nuṣratshãh sulṭãn khallada mulkahu mintname (G&G. B883), good very fine, rare 97

£60 -80

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474

473 473

Sultans of Bengal, Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud (AH 939-945; AD 1532-38), “badr shahi” Tankas (3), Husainabad “939”, “Dã” (9)33, “H ̣ ã” 933, al-sulṭãn bin al-sulṭãn ghiyath al-dunyã wa’l dīn abū’l muẓaffar maḥmūd, rev. shãh al-sulṭãn bin ḥusain shãh al-sulṭãn khallad allãh mulkahu wa sulṭãnahu, badr shãhī in circle on both sides (G&G. B904, 914, 917), very fine to good very fine (3)

£90-100

The “badr shahi” Tankas of Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud are, as an issue, more common than his other coin types. Oddly enough, they seem to have been struck during the reign of his elder brother, Nusrat, which implies that he had a share in the government of the sultanate. What the “H ̣ ã” and the “Dã” represent is not known.

474

Sultans of Bengal, Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud, “badr shahi” Tankas (2), Fathabad, AH 933, Nusratabad AH (9)33, legends as previous lot (G&G. B901, 910), very fine to good very fine, the latter coin very scarce (2)

£70-80

475

475

Sultans of Bengal, Afghan ruler series, broad-flan Tankas (4), Ghiyath al-Din Bahadur (AH 963-968), mintless type, AH 966; Ghiyath al-Din Jalal (AH 968-971), mintless type (2), AH 969, 970, one with star mintmark in top obverse margin; Da’ud Shah Kararani (AH 980-984), Tanda, date off-flan (G&G. B.967, 972, 982), very fine to good very fine (4)

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£100 – 120

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SULTANS OF DELHI 476

477

Sultans of Delhi, Sher Shah (AH 945-952; AD 1538-45), Rupee, 11.20g, AH 946, mintless type; Islam Shah (AH 952-960; AD 1545-52), mintless Rupees (3): “1477” type (2), AH 959, 960, with a broad-flan circular-area type, AH 954, probably struck in Bengal (G&G D819, 980, 982), very fine, the usual test marks, last coin scarce (4)

£60-80

Sultans of Dehli, Islam Shah, Rupees (5), mintless “1477” type, AH 956, 958, 959 (2), 960 (G&G. D980), very fine to good very fine (5)

£80-90

CHITTAGONG REGION

479 478 478

Chittagong region trade coinage, Tankas (2), in the name of Ghiyath al-Din Bahadur, Sultan of Bengal, 10.63, 10.56g, AH 960, 977 (G&G. B1004, year 977 not noted there), very fine to good very fine, scarce (2)

£100-150

The dates on the coins of this series are often fictitious.

479

Chittagong region trade coinage, Tankas (2), in the name of Islam Shah Suri, Sultan of Dehli, 9.76, 10.45g, AH 959, 960 (G&G. B1001), very fine, rare (2)

£120-150

These two coins are quite different in style

480 480

481

Chittagong region trade coinage, Tanka, 9.69g, in the name of Adam Humayun, undated, faqirīn ãdam humãyūn naṣir al-dīn kabirī, rev. Kalima, this type not in G&G., very fine and very rare

£200-250

This type is believed to refer to Adam Shah, the Arakanese governor of Ramu and Charkaria under Min Palaung, otherwise known as Sikandar Shah. The legends on these coins are the same as on G&G. B1008 but differently arranged on the obverse and stylistically rather different.

481

Governors of Chittagong, Islam Shah (Be 959; AD 1597), trilingual Tanka, 10.00g, Be 959, legends in Arakanese, Arabic and Bengali (G&G. CG2), good very fine, very rare On this coin, Islam Shah calls himself the “royal son of Naradibbati, King of the West” in the Arakanese legend. His governorship was short, less than a year.

99

£150-200

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NAWABS OF BENGAL

482 482

Nawabs of Bengal, Half-Rupee, ‘Azimabad (Patna), 5.70g, in the name of Shah Jahan III (AH 1173-1174), ahd (year 1), with trisul mintmark (KM. 470.1), very fine, various shroff-marks on edge, very rare

£200-250

MUGHAL EMPIRE

483 483

484

484

Mughal, Jahangir (AH 1014-1037; AD 1605-27), zodiac Rupee, 10.67g, Leo, Ahmadabad, AH 1027 year 13 (KM. 150.11), small flan crack, fine, rare

£350-400

Mughal, Jahangir, zodiac Rupee, 11.01g, Taurus, Ahmadabad, AH 1027 (KM. 150.5), very good, rare

£250-300

485 485

486

486

Mughal, Jahangir, zodiac Rupee, 11.27g, Gemini, Ahmadabad, AH 1027 (KM. 150.7), good fine, rare

£500-600

Mughal, Jahangir, square Rupee, 11.05g, Agra, AH 1026, year 12, month of Shahrewar (KM. 147.1), some slight adhesions, about very fine, scarce

£100-150

487

487

Mughal, Shah Jahan (AH 1037-1068; AD 1628-58), gold Mohur, 10.87g, Patna, AH 1045 year 8, square area type (KM. 260.14), very fine

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£500-600

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488 488

489

489

Mughal, Shah Jahan, square Rupee, 11.03g, mint off-flan but type of Multan, AH 1042, square area type (KM. 236.2), about fine, rare

£60-80

Mughal, Shah Jahan, Rupee, 11.41g, Lahore, AH 1047 year 10, square area type (KM. 235.17), toned extremely fine and attractive

£60-80

490 490

491

Mughal, Murad Bakhsh (AH 1068; AD 1658), Half-Rupee, 5.70g, Surat, square area type, date off-flan (KM. 270.2), very fine, some toning, very scarce

£80-100

PROVeNANCe:

ex. Biddulph collection.

491

Mughal, Muhammad Shah? (AH 1131-1161; AD 1719-48), Æ Paisa of Murshidabad, 11.47g, year 12, very fine, very rare

£100-150

This coin was published by Nicholas Rhodes in JONS 207 (2011). It is unusual in having neither the name of a ruler or a Hijri date. After Aurangzeb, only two Mughal rulers reigned for 12 or more years, Muhammad Shah and Shah ‘Alam II. No other copper coins are known from Bengal for the reign of Muhammad Shah; nonetheless, his reign has to be a possible candidate. On the other hand, if the coin were struck during the reign of Shah ‘Alam II, then the coin would have to be an otherwise unknown and unrecorded issue of the Bengal Presidency of the eIC. either way, the coin remains enigmatic and very rare.

492 492

493

493

Mughal, ‘Alamgir II (AH 1167-1173; AD 1754-59), gold Mohur, 10.75g, Shahjahanabad, Kalima type, legends within square on both sides with marginal legends around, AH 1168 year 2 (KM. 464.1), very fine, rare

£900-1,000

Mughal, ‘Alamgir II, gold Mohur, 10.82g, Shahjahanabad, year 3, normal linear type (KM. 465.1), some slight red adhesions good very fine

£450-500

101

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GARHWAL Very little is known about the early history of Garhwal apart from a list of rulers and a few records of conquests. Fath Shah ascended the throne in 1684. It is known that he undertook successful military campaigns into Tibet, onto the plains, and into Kumaon. His luck ran out in 1709 when his capital, Srinagar, was captured by the Raja of Kumaon, and he had to withdraw to Dehra Dun for the rest of his reign. It appears that the first coins struck in the state were silver Timashas imitating first a Nisar of Aurangzeb of Shahjahanabad (cf. KM. 306.7, lot 494), and then a similar coin of Farrukhsiyar. These latter imitations started off being crudely engraved and became in due course barely recognisable in terms of their prototype. It is probable they began to be struck during the reign of Fath Shah, who was contemporary with the prototypes, and the Farrukhsiyar imitations probably continued to be struck during the reign of his successor, Pradip Shah.

494 494

495

496

498 499 500

Garhwal, temp. Fath Shah, Timasha, 2.59g, imitating a Nisar type of Farrukhsiyar of Shahjahanabad, legends as previous type but with name of Farrukhsiyar, dated AH 1128, crudely engraved (KM. 2), with some flatness, very fine, very rare PROVeNANCe: ex. Goron collection It is noticeable that these Farrukhsiyar imitations start off being quite crudely engraved, with the mintname being barely recognisable. The last digit of the date is not certain but looks more like an 8 than anything else. It should be noted that, from now on, the Timashas were struck in such a way that, more often than not, flat areas occur on the coins.

Garhwal, temp. Fath Shah or Pradip Shah, Timasha, 2.24g, crude imitation of the Farrukhsiyar type with corrupted legends but clear date 29, presumably for AH 1129 (KM. 3 for type), some flatness, good very fine, rare It is unusual to find one of these crudely engraved coins with a small, clearly engraved date. It is also possible that the 29 could represent regnal year 29 of Pradip Shah, as copper coins of his are known with that regnal year.

498

£250-300

£100-150

£60-70

499

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah (VS 1774-1829; AD 1717-72), Timasha, 2.23g, similar to previous lot but without date (KM. 3 for overall type), good fine, scarce These imitations of the Farrukhsiyar prototype were struck in a number of varieties, all equally crude. KM. does not distinguish between them. It is very likely that they continued to be struck during the first part of Pradip Shah’s reign.

£50-60

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timasha, 2.35g, similar to previous lot, without date (KM. 3 for overall type), very fine, a little flatness, scarce

£50-60

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timasha, 2.48g, similar to previous lot, without date (KM. 3 for overall type), about extremely fine, well struck up, very scarce so nice

£60-80

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timashas (2), 2.47, 2.45g, similar to previous lots, but different variety, without date (KM. 3 for overall type), very fine, some flatness, scarce (2)

£60-80

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496

Garhwal, temp. Fath Shah (VS 1743-1774; AD 1686-1717), Timasha, 2.51g, imitating a Nisar of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, of Shahjahanabad, dated AH 1096 year 31, nithãr ‘ãlamgīr bãdshãh ghãzī, 31 at bottom, rev. zarb dãr al-khilãfa shãhjahãnãbãd, 1096 at bottom, has been mounted, very fine, extremely rare, possibly the only known example

497 497

495

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501 501

Garhwal, Pradip Shah, Timasha, 2.45g, in the name of Pradip Shah, Shrī Pradīp Shãh jyo, rev. usual garbled legend (JONS 121), about 30% flat, very fine, extremely rare This coin was published by Nicholas Rhodes in JONS 121 (1989) and appears to be the only specimen reported. Copper coins of his are known and the crudely engraved Farrukhsiyar imitation Timashas will doubtless have been struck during the reign. The neighbouring state of Kumaon was twice invaded by the Rohillas and Pradip Shah had lent the Kumaon ruler Rs. 300,000 as the price of peace. It is possible that Pradip Shah, having struck some coins in his own name, thought better of it, as he would not have wanted to incur the animosity of the Mughal ruler or his vassals.

502 502 503

503

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, Śrinagar, years ahd, 2, 3 (KM. 10), some flatness in places, as usual, good very fine, scarce (3)

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, Śrinagar, years 4, 5, 7 (KM. 10), some flatness in places, as usual, good very fine to extremely fine, scarce (3)

504 504 505

506

£100-120

£60-80

£60-80

505

Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, Śrinagar, years 8, 9, 12 (KM. 10), some flatness in places, as usual, good very fine, scarce (3) Garhwal, temp. Pradip Shah, Lallat Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, Śrinagar, years 13, 14, 15 (KM. 10), some flatness in places, as usual, good very fine, scarce (3) Lallat Shah succeeded Pradip Shah in 1772 (AH 1186); he in turn was succeeded by Jayakrit Shah in 1781 (AH 1196). In 1785, Jayakrit attacked Kumaon, where his brother Parduman was ruling. The latter’s army repulsed the attack; Jayakrit died during the retreat and the Kumaon troops took possession of Śrinagar. As a result, Parduman became ruler of both Kumaon and Garhwal and, in due course, took up residence in Śrinagar.

Garhwal, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, one dated year 17, one in different style dated year 3, and the third with blundered AH date but with part of a Samvat date visible (KM. 3, -), some flatness, as usual, very fine to good very fine (3) 103

£60-80

£60-70

£60-70

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507

507

508

509

508

Garhwal, temp. Lallat Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, AH 1188/SV 1831 (retrograde), 1189/1833, “189”/1833 (C 20), some flatness, as usual, very fine, scarce (3)

£60-70

Garhwal, temp. Lallat Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, AH 1191/VS 1834, 1191/1835, 1191/“184” (C20), some flatness, as usual, very fine to good very fine, scarce (3)

£60-70

Garhwal, temp. Lallat Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, AH 1192 without VS date, “1166”/VS 1835, “11892”/1836 (C20), some flatness, as usual, very fine to good very fine, scarce (3)

£60-70

510

510

511

512

511

Garhwal, temp. Lallat Shah, Timashas (3), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, AH 1190/VS 1833 (2), (1)192/1836 (C20), some flatness, as usual, very fine to good very fine (3)

£60-70

Garhwal, temp. Lallat Shah, Timashas (2), in the name of Shah ‘Alam II, VS 1836, 1837 with a trident in place of the AH date (C20a), some flatness, as usual, very fine, scarce (2)

£60-70

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (2), in the names of Shah ‘Alam II and Girvan yuddha, one dated “66”, the other undated, with a katar on one side and a trident on the other (RGV. 1378, 1380), some flatness, as usual, very fine, scarce (2)

£50-60

The Gorkhas invaded Garhwal in 1791, having previously subdued Kumaon. They did not capture Śrinagar and were forced to return home at the news of a Chinese invasion of Nepal. They did, however, get a treaty agreed with Parduman for an annual tribute to be paid to them. Twelve years later, in 1803, they invaded again, and this time successfully, occupying Śrinagar without difficulty. Their twelve-year rule became infamous for its tyranny until Garhwal was annexed by the British. Timashas continued to be struck firstly in the names of Shah ‘Alam II and Girvan yuddha, then Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, and then in the name of Girvan yuddha alone.

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513 513

514

515

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (3), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, one dated ahd, another appears to be dated 65 in Arabic numerals (for VS 1865), and the last has 66 engraved in Nagari numerals (for VS 1866), all Śrinagar mint (RGV 1394, others not listed), fine to very fine, usual weakness, scarce (3)

£60-80

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (3), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, Srinagar, no dates visible, one with Shãh Akbar at top and with katar pointing upwards on the other side, another with Akbar Shãh across the centre with a prominent star, and one with Akbar Shãh at the top (RGV 1382, others uncertain), usual flatness, very fine to good very fine (3)

£60-80

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (3), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, Srinagar, one dated “65” in Arabic on reverse and with a katar pointing upwards at the bottom of the obverse, another dated “66” on the reverse, and the third with an upwards pointing katar on the obverse and sanah ahd on the reverse (RGV 1383, 1388, 1391), usual flatness, very fine to good very fine, very scarce (3)

£80-100

516 516

517

518

517

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (3), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, Srinagar, one dated 67 in Nagari numerals on the reverse and with a double-hilted sword on the obverse, another dated 68 in Nagari numerals and the sword having four beads either side arranged vertically, and the third dated 68 with a singlehilted sword surrounded by 14 beads arranged in a circle, more or less (RGV 1395, 1399, the other not listed), usual flatness, very fine, very scarce (3)

£80-100

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (3), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, Srinagar, one dated 69 in Nagari numerals within a semi-circle of beads, another dated 69 within a plain semi-circle, and the third dated 70 within a semi-circle of beads (RGV 1401, 1402, 1403), usual flatness, very fine to good very fine, very scarce (3)

£80-100

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Timashas (2), in the names of Muhammad Akbar II and Girvan yuddha, dated 69 in Nagari numerals within a semi-circle of beads, the other in the name of Girvan yuddha alone, with the same legend on both sides (RBV 1401, 1386), usual flatness, fine to good fine, scarce (2)

£50-60

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519 519

Garhwal, Pradip Shah, Æ Tacas (2), 7.05, 6.78g, one with year 29, the other with year 13 or 14, Lallat Shah, Æ Taca, 5.95g, VS 1836 (C5, 15), fine to very fine, very scarce (3)

£80-100

Nicholas Rhodes read the date on the Lallat Shah coins as VS 1831, but when held at the appropriate angle it can be seen that the last digit is in fact a 6. These early copper coins of Garhwal are very difficult to find.

520

Garhwal, Parduman Shah, Æ Tacas (6), VS 1835 (3), 3.46, 3.48, 5.32g, VS 1845, 5.38g, VS “1145” presumably for 1845, 3.81g, VS 1853, 4.14g (C24, 25), very fine, some scarce (6)

£90-100

521

521

Garhwal, Gorkha occupation, Æ Tacas (2), in the name Girvan yuddha, one undated, 4.56g, the other dated VS 1823, 4.54g; Sudarshan Shah (VS 1872-1906; AD 18151859), copper taca, VS 1883, 5.25g (RGV 1405, 1408, last coin not listed), very fine, the first with some flatness, all very scarce (3) PROVeNANCe:

The first coin ex. Wiggins collection.

The date on the second Girvan yuddha coin is puzzling as it is well before the Gorkha occupation. It may be a mis-engraving for VS 1873, the final year of the Gorkha occupation. In AD 1815, the British annexed Garhwal and handed over control of the state to Sudarshan Shah. No silver Timasha are known struck in his name, but there are a very few very rare donative gold coins known struck at Badrinath, and this seemingly rare copper issue.

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£90-100

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KANGRA From the time of Akbar until 1783, Kangra fort was held by a succession of Mughal governors, while the Rajas of Kangra ruled the state under Mughal suzerainty. By the late 18th century Mughal power had weakened and there was much confusion in northern India, with much of the Punjab under Durrani control. That control, however, was not complete and various Sikh chieftains began to carve out territory for themselves. One of these, Jain Singh Kanheya, captured Kangra from the Mughal governor. The fort remained in Sikh hands until 1787 when it was ceded to Sansar Chand who was becoming increasingly powerful as an independent ruler of Kangra. By the early 19th century, he had made enemies among his neighbours who appealed to Nepal for help. The Nepalese invaded in 1805 and broke the power of Kangra. The fort, however, remained in the hands of Sansar Chand who held out until the Gorkhas were ousted by a Sikh army under Ranjit Singh. The fort was ceded to the Sikhs and Sansar Chand continued to rule, this time under Sikh suzerainty. He died in 1823 and his son, Anirudh Chand, ruled until the late 1820s, when he fled the state. The state remained in the hands of the Sikhs until 1846, when after the first Sikh War, the state and fort were formally ceded to the British. This process, however, was not straightforward: the governor of the fort held out against the British for two months and some of the hill chiefs rebelled in about 1848 when they realised the British were not going to restore their dominions to them.

522 522

Kangra, Æ Paisa, 10.46g in the name of “Shah Bahadur,” undated, sikka shãh bahãdur, rev. zarb kãngrã, good very fine and very rare

£200-250

This coin was published by Nicholas Rhodes in ONS Newsletter 129 (1991). In the article he stated that only one other coin of this type, lighter in weight (7.60g), was known and that was in the British Museum collection It is not clear at all when this coin was struck. NR thought the shãh bahãdur was more likely to be an epithet “brave king” rather than refer to any ruler of that name. He suspected the issue may have been made after 1846, either just before the fort was ceded to the British, or during one of the uprisings of c. 1848.

KUMAON Almora was invaded and conquered by the Gorkhas in 1790. A year or so later, most of the Nepalese army had to return to Nepal because of a threat from the Chinese. Only a small garrison was left in Almora. The Almora mint opened some time in the 1790s.

523 523

Kumaon, Almora, Æ Falus, 10.97g, undated, in the name of Rana Bahadur Shah of Nepal (AD 1777-99), shrī mahãrãja rãna bahãdur shãh bahãdur, rev. falūs zarb almorah (RGV 1356), fine to very fine, rare This coin will have been struck soon after the mint opened in the 1790s.

107

£60-80

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525 524 524

Kumaon, Almora, Æ Falus, 9.55g, in the name of Girvan yuddha Vikram Shah of Nepal (1799-1816), dated VS 1858 (AD 1801), with an upright bow and arrow on the reverse (RGV 1359), very fine, some flatness, rare

£60-80

PROVeNANCe:

ex. Wiggins collection.

525

Kumaon, Almora, Æ Falus, 7.74g, in the name of Girvan yuddha of Nepal, dated VS 1858, legends similar to the previous coin but differently arranged, without the bow and arrow and on a smaller flan (RGV 1360), about very fine but rather weakly struck on the obverse, rare

£50-60

PROVeNANCe:

ex. Wiggins collection.

526 526

Kumaon, Almora, Æ Taca (3), 5.96, 5.53, 5.10g, featuring the Paduka or footprints of Śiva, blundered legends (one coin RGV 1372; KM. C5 for general type), good fine to good very fine (3)

£60-80

These coins, which occur in a number of variants, were probably struck between AD 1809 and 1815, i.e. until Almora was annexed by the British.

527

527

Kumaon, Æ Coin, 14.38g, in the name of Rana Bahadur Shah of Nepal, mint of Khumaon (Kumaon), dated VS 1851 (ONS 160), good fine to very fine, very rare This coin was published by Nicholas Rhodes in ONS Newsletter 160 (1999). As previously stated, the Gorkhas invaded Kumaon and Amora in AD 1790. This coin was struck in 1797 and is notable for the mintname Khumaon that also occurs on the coin in the following lot. It is also noticeable that this copper coin is heavier than any of the copper coins with the Almora mintname.

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£60-80

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528 528

Kumaon, ¿ Timasha, 2.05g, in the name of Girvan yuddha Vikram Shah of Nepal, Khumaon mint, dated SV 1868 (AD 1811), mahrãjah gīrvãn jūddha vikrãm shãh, rev. zarb khumãūn samvat 1868 (ONS 151), good very fine, very rare

£200-300

This coin was published by Nicholas Rhodes in JONS 151 (1997). In the article he quotes a passage from a work by Mahesh Chandra Regmi as follows: “From Almora, Kumaon, Chautraiya Bam Shah and Subba Hastadal Shahi submitted a recommendation to Kathmandu that the iron coins of Almora be abolished and a mint started there for minting pure Paisa and Timasi coins. They add that the people of Kumaon would welcome such an arrangement… A royal order was issued on Tuesday, Baisakh Sudi 14, 1868 granting the permission…..”

The date on this coin accords with the date of the permission and it must have been struck as a result. Whether or not the people of Kumaon really did welcome the issue is uncertain in view of its great rarity.

LADAKH There were reputed to have been some coins struck by Ladakh in the name of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb as tribute was paid following incursions made by the Mughals in the mid 17th century, however none of these have been found as yet. In 1781 there is a record of a goldsmith from Leh being hired to strike coins called Ja’u. However, as the earliest extant coins closely copy those of the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, it is likely these were issued in the early years of the 18th century. Later coins name the ruler of Ladakh as Aqibat Mahmud Khan (his Muslim name) and also Mahmud Shah, believed to be Mahmud Shah Durrani. After the conquest of the Dogra army in 1835 coins appeared in the name of their leader Gulab Singh.

529 529

530

530

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.69g, very similar to the early Timasha of Garhwal with the corrupt Farrukhsiyar legend, year 7, with part of zarb tibet visible at the bottom of the reverse (KM. 1.1), good very fine, very scarce

£60-80

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.61g, similar to previous lot but siyar enclosed within a square (KM. 2), good very fine, rare

£100-150

531 531

532

532

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.31g, in the name of Mahmud Khan, the Muslim name of the king of Ladakh, year 14, obverse legend ‘aqibat maḥmūd khãn (KM. 3), very fine, very scarce

£60-80

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.30g, as previous lot (KM. 3), very fine, very scarce

£60-80

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533 533

534

535

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.32g, aqibat maḥmūd khãn 12 within a plain circle, rev. as previous lots, type not in KM, good very fine, obverse somewhat weakly struck in parts, very rare

£120-150

The figure 12 on this coin is presumably an imitation of the 14 on the previous type.

534

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.59g, in the name of Mahmud Shah, maḥmūd shãh within a plain circle, no date, rev. as previous lots, type not in KM, extremely fine, some toning, very rare

£120-150

PROVeNANCe:

ex. Pitchfork collection.

The Mahmud Shah quoted on this and subsequent coins is believed to refer to Mahmud Shah Durrani, the ruler of Kashmir.

535

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.59g, in the name of Mahmud Shah, obv.within a border comprising a double plain circle with large beads in between, rev. within a border of large beads (KM. 5.2), extremely fine, very scarce

536 536

537

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.03g, in the name of Mahmud Shah but rather crudely engraved, legend with large katar on reverse (KM. 6), toned very fine, scarce

£70-90

538

£50-60

This type was struck after Ladakh had been conquered by Gulab Singh and the Doghra army in 1835. until 1845, Gulab Singh acknowledged Sikh suzerainty and ruled Ladakh as part of Jammu. This issue shows signs of significant debasement.

537

538

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 1.88g, in the name of Gulab Singh, three-line Nagari legend Raja Gulab Singh, rev. with katar (similar to KM. 7.3), toned good very fine, scarce

£60-80

Ladakh, ¿ Ja’u, 2.07g, dated VS 1928 (AD 1871), Tibetan script 1928 Jam-bu’I Par, rev. Persian script zarb ladakh qilimrao jamūn sanah 1928 (KM. 8), extremely fine, very scarce

£100-120

539 539

Ladakh, Æ Paisas (4), issued under Doghra domination, Persian legend on one side, Nagari legend on the other, VS 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 (KM. 9), about very fine to very fine (4) WWW.SpinK.Com

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£100-120

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SIKKIM There was no local coinage in Sikkim until the arrival of a number of Nepalese traders in the late 19th century. The Nepalese Pradhan brothers acquired some land and also the right to mine copper. Some of this copper they wished to use for striking coins which they hoped they could use for trade with Nepal and the Darjeeling area. The coins, often poorly struck, are similar to contemporary Nepalese copper coins, except for the Sikkim legend. They were struck between 1883 and 1885. The dies bore dates but few of the coins show the date clearly. Parts of a date can be seen on a couple of the present coins. The weights of the issues vary between 4 and 6g. The present coins weigh 5.58, 5.70, 5.01, and 5.58g. Some coins have the obverse legend in 3 lines, others in 4 lines. This coin issue was not a success as neither the British nor the Nepalese allowed it to circulate within their respective jurisdictions.

540 540

Sikkim, Æ Paisas (4), three different varieties, Śrī Śrī Śrī Sikimapati Mahãraj, rev. Śrī Śrī Śrī Sikima Sarkara (KM. 1, 2, 3.1), crude fine to very fine, one with some original lustre, scarce (4)

£100-120

SIRMUR The Nepalese armies reached Sirmur in 1806 and remained in control until 1815, when the British annexed the state.

Little is known about the Nepalese adminstration of Sirmur and there appear to be no records about the striking or circulation of coinage within the territory, apart from the coins themselves, which remain very scarce.

541 541

542

Sirmur, Girvan Yuddha (AD 1806-15), Æ Paisa, 17.39g, Nahan mint, AH 1227, VS 69 (AD 1812), shrī mahãrajah gīrbãn jūdah shãh bikram bahãdur, rev. zarb nãhan 1227 sambat 69 (in Nagari numerals) (RGV. 1409; C21), very fine, with clear legends, very scarce

£60-80

The weight standard of this issue is very different from that used by the Nepalese in either Garhwal or Almora. The samvat date on this issue “69” stands for VS 1869.

542

Sirmur, Givan Yuddha, Æ Half-Paisa, 8.43g, Nahan mint, AH 1227, VS 69, legends as previous lot (RGV. 1410; C20), good very fine with what appears to be some traces of original lustre, extremely rare Another example of this type is in the British Museum collection.

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£100-120

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543 543

Sirmur, Fath Prakash (VS 1872-90; AD 1815-33), Æ Paisa, 19.47g, Nahan mint, VS 1877 (AD 1820), with bow and arrow symbol, obverse legends rather crudely engraved (KM. 11), very fine, scarce PROVeNANCe: ex. Goron collection.

After the Gorkhas were expelled from Sirmur in 1815, the historical Rajput rulers were restored to their domains and governed what was tantamount to a British feudatory state.

This is the last coin issue from the Nahan mint.

£50-70

MISCELLANEOUS

544 544 545

545

Mysore, Haidar ‘Ali (AH 1174-1197; AD 1761-82), Æ Paisa, Patan, AH 1195, elephant to right (KM. 5.1), very fine, scarce

£40-50

Mysore, Tipu Sultan (AH 1197-1200; AM 1215-27; AD 1782-99), Æ Paisa, Farrukhi, AM 1218, elephant to left (KM. 53.2), good very fine, a lovely specimen

£50-60

547 546 546

547

Mysore, Tipu Sultan, Æ Paisas (2), Farrukhyab-Hisar, AM 1216, elephant to left, Nagar, AM 1224/1, elephant to left, Quarter-Paisa, Bangalore, AM 1216, elephant to left (KM. 63.1, 103.12, 31.2), very fine to good very fine (3)

£60-70

Ancient India, northern India monarchical, Rohilkhand series (AD 100-200), King Bhanumitra, three base metal coins, 4.54, 3.49, 2.56g, tree in railing, rev. legend and 3 symbols, fine to very fine for type, very scarce (3)

£100-150

These coins are made of an arsenical alloy of copper and come in three denominations or weight groups.

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Bibliography & Abbreviations KM = George S. Cuhaj, editor, Thomas Michael, market analyst: Standard Catalog of World Coins 1601-1700, 5th edition, Krause Publications, Iola WI, 2011 KM = George S. Cuhaj, editor, Thomas Michael, market analyst: Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800, 5th edition, Krause Publications, Iola WI, 2010 KM = George S. Cuhaj, editor, Thomas Michael, market analyst: Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801-1900, 6th edition, Krause Publications, Iola WI, 2009 KM = George S. Cuhaj, editor, Thomas Michael, market analyst: 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000, 39th edition, Krause Publications, Iola WI, 2011 G & G = Goron, Stan & Goenka, J.P., The Coins of the Indian Sultanates, Munshiram Manoharlal, New Delhi, 2001 NGV = Rhodes, Nicholas G., Gabrisch, Karl and Valdettaro, Carlo: The Coinage of Nepal from the earliest times until 1911, Royal Numismatic Society, Special Publication, no. 21, London, 1989 RB = the publication relating to the appropriate area from the list below: Rhodes, N.G., Bose, S.K., The Coinage of Cooch Behar, Mira Bose, Library of Numismatic Studies, Dhubri, 1999 Rhodes, N.G., Bose, S.K., The Coinage of Tripura, Mira Bose, Library of Numismatic Studies, Kolkata, 2002 Rhodes, N.G., Bose, S.K., The Coinage of Assam, I, Pre-Ahom Period, Library of Numismatic Studies, Kolkata, 2003 Rhodes, N.G., Bose, S.K., The Coinage of Assam, volume II – Ahom Period, Mira Bose, Library of Numismatic Studies, Kolkata, 2004 Rhodes, N. G. and Bose, S. K., A History of the Dimasa Kacharis - As Seen through Coinage, Mira Basu Publishers, New Delhi, 2006 Rhodes, N. G. and Bose, S. K., The Coinage of Jaintiapur, Library of Numismatic Studies, Kolkata, 2010 Rhodes, N. G. and Bose, S. K., The Coinage of Manipur, Library of Numismatic Studies, Kolkata, 2012 JNSI = Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, Varanasi, India JONS = Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society, editor, S.Goron, London

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Oriental Numismatic Society

Nicholas Rhodes was a founder member of the Oriental Numismatic Society back in 1970.

Now it is a worldwide club, dedicated to collectors of the coinage of the Islamic World, Asia and the Far East. A quarterly journal packed with numismatic news, reviews of publications, and the latest academic papers is sent free to all members.

Each region also holds regular meetings which are both social and educational.

If you are reading this catalogue, and considering buying some of the coins, this Society is for you.

How to Join

The society welcomes members with all levels of interest. All members receive the Society's Journal without further cost.

The ONS has regional secretaries who take responsibility for membership issues in different parts of the world. To join the society you should contact the secretary for your region: General Section: Europe Section: UK & Eire Section: America Section: South Asia Section: Pakistan Section:

Mr R Senior, rcsenior@yahoo.com Mr J Lingen, lingen@wxs.nl Mr P Smith, pnsmith@aol.com Mr C Karukstis, charlie@charliek.com Dr D Rajgor, drajgor@hotmail.com Mr S M Mirza shafqatmirza@hotmail.com

Current Annual Membership Fee: UK Section £25.00 Europe Section € € 30.0 Americas Section $35

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69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4034 fax: +44 (0)20 7563 4037 email: auctionteam@spink.com

THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1)

WRITTEN BIDS FORM

name ______________________________________________________

this form should be sent or faxed to the Spink auction office in advance of the sale. references for new clients should be addreSS ____________________________________________________ supplied in good time to be taken up before the sale. bids received later than one hour before the start of the sale may ____________________________________________________________ not be processed.

____________________________________________________________ YOU CAN ALSO BID IN REAL TIME ON SPINK LIVE. JUST VISIT WWW.SPINK.COM, REGISTER AND

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24 SEPTEMBER 2013

LONDON

SIGN UP FOR THE SALE.

SaLe titLe

date

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SaLe no.

The Nicholas Rhodes Collection Coins of North East India (Part 1)

Tuesday 24 September 2013 at 10.00 a.m.

RHODES I

13019

i request Spink, without legal obligations of any kind on its part, to bid on the following Lots up to the price given below. i understand that if my bid is successful the purchase price will be the sum of the final bid and buyer’s premium as a percentage of the final bid as well as any vat chargeable. the rate of premium is 20% of the final hammer price of each lot. all bids shall be treated as offers made on the terms and Conditions for buyers printed in the catalogue. i also understand that Spink provides the service of executing bids on behalf of clients for the convenience of clients and that Spink will not be held responsible for failing to execute bids. if identical commission bids are received for the same Lot, the commission bid received first by Spink will take precedence. please note that you will not be notified if there are higher written bids received. if you require such notification then this is available on bids made via Spink live bidding service.

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Continued ...

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date

SaLe no.

Tuesday 24 September 2013 at 10.00 a.m.

13019

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY IN BLOCK LETTERS AND ENSURE THAT BIDS ARE IN STERLING Lot number (in numerical order)

price bid £ (excluding buyer’s premium)

Lot number (in numerical order)

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BIDDING INCREMENTS bidding generally opens below the low estimate and advances in the following order although the auctioneer may vary the bidding increments during the course of the auction. the normal bidding increments are: up to £100 £100 to £300 £300 to £600 £600 to £1,000

by £5 by £10 £320-£350-£380-£400 etc. by £50

£1,000 to £3,000 £3,000 to £6,000 £6,000 to £20,000 £20,000 and up

by £100 £3,200-£3,500-£3,800-£4,000 etc. by £500 auctioneer’s discretion

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VAT is chargeable on the hammer price and the buyer’s premium of daggered (†) and (Ω) lots at the standard rate (currently 20%), and on lots marked (x) at the reduced rate (currently 5% on the hammer price and 20% on the buyer’s premium). vat on margin Scheme lots (identified by the absence of any vat symbol next to the lot number) is payable at 20% on the buyer’s premium only.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR BUYERS These conditions set out the terms on which we (Spink and Son Limited of 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury London WC1B 4eT (company no. 04369748)) contract with you (Buyer) either as agent on behalf of the Seller or as principal if we are the Seller. you should read these conditions carefully.

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means a certificate issued by an expert Committee confirming the authenticity of a Lot;

Expert Committee

means a committee of experts to whom a Lot may be sent for an extension in accordance with clause 3.4.3;

Forgery

means a Lot constituting an imitation originally conceived and executed as a whole with a fraudulent intention to deceive as to authorship, origin, age, period, culture or source where the correct description as to such matters is not reflected by the description in the catalogue and which at the date of the auction had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description in the catalogue. Accordingly, no Lot shall be capable of being a Forgery by reason of any damage and/or restoration work of any kind (including re-enamelling);

Hammer Price

means the amount of the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer in relation to a Lot;

Lot

means any item deposited with us for sale at auction and, in particular, the item or items described against any Lot number in any catalogue;

Reserve

the amount below which we agree with the Seller that the Lot cannot be sold;

Seller

means the owner of the Lot being sold by us;

Spink Group

Spink and Son Limited, our subsidiaries and associated companies.

VAT

value added tax chargeable under VAT and any similar replacement or additional tax; and

VAT Symbols

means the symbols detailing the VAT status of the Lot details of which are set out at the back of the catalogue. the first session of the sale. If accepted by us, such request shall have the same effect as notice of an intention to question the genuineness or description of the Lot for the purposes of clause 5.13 (Refund in the case of Forgery) of these Terms and Conditions and the provisions of clause 5.13 (Refund in the case of Forgery) shall apply accordingly.

SPINK’S ROLE AS AGENT 2.1

All sales undertaken by us either at auction or privately are undertaken either as agent on behalf of the Seller or from time to time, as principal if we are the owner of the Lot. Please note that even if we are acting as agent on behalf of the Seller rather than as principal, we may have a financial interest in the Lot.

2.2

The contract for the sale of the Lot will be between you and the Seller.

3.4.2 Notice of a request for an expert opinion or Certificate of Authenticity must give the reason why such opinion is required and specify the identity of your proposed expert which will be subject to agreement by us. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to refuse a request for an expert opinion or Certificate of Authenticity including (without limitation) where the proposed expert is not known to us.

BEFORE THE SALE 3.1

3.2

Examination of goods you are strongly advised to examine personally any goods in which you are interested, before the auction takes place. Condition reports are usually available on request. We provide no guarantee to you other than in relation to Forgeries, as set out in clause 5.13 of these Terms and Conditions.

3.4.3 If we accept a request for an expert opinion or Certificate of Authenticity we will submit the Lot to the expert Committee. you acknowledge and accept that the length of time taken by an expert Committee to reach an opinion will vary depending on the circumstances and in any event is beyond our control.

Catalogue descriptions 3.2.1 Statements by us in the catalogue or condition report, or made orally or in writing elsewhere, regarding the authorship, origin, date, age, size, medium, attribution, genuineness, provenance, condition or estimated selling price of any Lot are merely statements of opinion, and are not to be relied on as statements of definitive fact. Catalogue illustrations are for guidance only, and should not be relied on either to determine the tone or colour of any item or to reveal imperfections. estimates of the selling price should not be relied on as a statement that this price is either the price at which the Lot will sell or its value for any other purpose.

3.2.2 Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and some descriptions in the catalogue or given by way of condition report make reference to damage and/or restoration. We provide this information for guidance only and the absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others.

3.2.3 Other than as set out in clause 5.13, and in the absence of fraud, neither the Seller nor we, nor any of our employees or agents, are responsible for the correctness of any statement as to the authorship, origin, date, age, attribution, genuineness or provenance of any Lot nor for any other errors of description or for any faults or defects in any Lot.

3.3

3.4

Your Responsibility you are responsible for satisfying yourself as to the condition of the goods and the matters referred to in the catalogue description.

Extensions – Stamps only 3.4.1 If you wish to obtain an expert opinion or Certificate of Authenticity on any Lot (other than a mixed Lot or Lot containing undescribed stamps) you must notify us in writing not less than forty-eight hours before the time fixed for the commencement of

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3.4.4 We will not normally accept a request for an extension on account of condition. Any Lot described in the catalogue as having faults or defects may not be returned even if an expert opinion or Certificate of Authenticity cites other faults or defects not included in the catalogue description, other than in the case of a Forgery.

3.4.5 Should Spink accept a request for an extension under the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the fact may be stated by the Auctioneer from the rostrum prior to the sale of the Lot. 3.4.6 It should be noted that any stamp accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity is sold on the basis of that Certificate only and not on the basis of any other description or warranty as to authenticity.

No request for an extension will be accepted on such a stamp and the return of such a stamp will not be accepted.

4

AT THE SALE 4.1

Refusal of admission Our sales usually take place on our own premises or premises over which we have control for the sale, and we have the right, exercisable at our complete discretion, to refuse admission to the premises or attendance at an auction.

4.2

Registration before bidding you must complete and sign a registration form and provide identification before making a bid at auction. Please be aware that we usually require buyers to undergo a credit check.

Some lots may be designated, prior to the auction, as “Premium Lots”, which means a deposit may be required before placing a bid on the item for sale. Information will be posted on our website in such an event.

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4.3

Bidding as Principal When making a bid (whether such bids are made in person or by way of telephone bids operated by Spink, commission or online or email bids), you will be deemed to be acting as principal and will be accepting personal liability, unless it has been agreed in writing, at the time of registration, that you are acting as agent on behalf of a third party buyer acceptable to us.

4.4

Commission Bids If you give us instructions to bid on your behalf, by using the form provided in our catalogues or via our website, we shall use reasonable endeavours to do so, provided these instructions are received not later than 24 hours before the auction. If we receive commission bids on a particular Lot for identical amounts, and at auction these bids are the highest bids for the Lot, it will be sold to the person whose bid was received first. Commission bids are undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale, and the conduct of the auction may be such that we are unable to bid as requested. Since this is undertaken as a free service to prospective buyers on the terms stated, we cannot accept liability for failure to make a commission bid. you should therefore always attend personally if you wish to be certain of bidding.

4.5

On-line Bidding We offer internet services as a convenience to our clients. We will not be responsible for errors or failures to execute bids placed on the internet, including, without limitation, errors or failures caused by (i) a loss of internet connection by either party for whatever reason; (ii) a breakdown or problems with the online bidding software and/or (iii) a breakdown or problems with your internet connection, computer or system. execution of on-line internet bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the auction and we do not accept liability for failing to execute an online internet bid or for errors or omissions in connection with this activity.

4.6

Telephone Bids If you make arrangements with us not less than 24 hours before the sale, we shall use reasonable endeavours to contact you to enable you to participate in bidding by telephone, but in no circumstances will we be liable to either the Seller or you as a result of failure to do so.

4.7

Currency Converter At some auctions, a currency converter will be operated, based on the one month forward rates of exchange quoted to us by Barclays Bank Plc or any other appropriate rate determined by us, at opening on the date of the auction. Bidding will take place in a currency determined by us, which is usually sterling for auctions held in London. The currency converter is not always reliable, and errors may occur beyond our control either in the accuracy of the Lot number displayed on the converter, or the foreign currency equivalent of sterling bids. We shall not be liable to you for any loss suffered as a result of you following the currency converter.

4.8

Video images At some auctions there will be a video screen. Mistakes may occur in its operation, and we cannot be liable to you regarding either the correspondence of the image to the Lot being sold or the quality of the image as a reproduction of the original.

4.9

Bidding Increments Bidding generally opens below the low estimate and advances in the following order although the auctioneer may vary the bidding increments during the course of the auction. The normal bidding increments are: up to £100 by £5 £100 to £300 by £10 £300 to £600 £320-£350-£380-£400 etc. £600 to £1,000 by £50 £1,000 to £3,000 by £100 £3,000 to £6,000 £3,200-£3,500-£3,800-£4,000 etc. £6,000 to £20,000 by £500 £20,000 and up Auctioneer’s discretion

4.10 Bidding by Spink 4.10.1 We reserve the right to bid on Lots on the Seller’s behalf up to the amount of the Reserve (if any), which will never be above the low estimate printed in the auction catalogue.

4.10.2 The Spink Group reserves the right to bid on and purchase Lots as principal.

4.11 The Auctioneer’s Discretion The auctioneer has the right at his absolute discretion to refuse any bid to advance the bidding in such manner as he may decide to withdraw or divide any Lot, to combine any two or more Lots and, in the case of error or dispute, to put an item up for bidding again.

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4.12 Successful Bid Subject to the auctioneer’s discretion, the striking of his hammer marks the acceptance of the highest bid, provided always that such bid is higher than the Reserve (where applicable), and the conclusion of a contract for sale between you and the Seller.

4.13 After Sale Arrangements If you enter into any private sale agreements for any Lot with the Seller within 60 days of the auction, we, as exclusive agents of the Seller reserve the right to charge you the applicable Buyer’s Premium in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, and the Seller a commission in accordance with the terms of the Seller’s agreement.

4.14 Return of Lot Once your bid has been accepted for a Lot then you are liable to pay for that Lot in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. If there are any problems with a Lot then you must notify us within 7 days of receipt of the Lot, specifying the nature of the problem. We may then request that the Lot is returned to us for inspection. Save as set out in clause 5.13, the cancellation of the sale of any Lot and the refund of the corresponding purchase price is entirely at our sole discretion. We will not normally exercise that discretion if the Lot is not received by us in the same condition that it was in at the auction date.

AFTER THE AUCTION 5.1 Buyer’s Premium In addition to the Hammer Price, you must pay us the Buyer’s Premium at a rate of 20% of the final Hammer Price of each Lot. 5.2 Value Added Tax Other than in respect of Zero-rated Lots (o) VAT is chargeable on the Hammer price and the Buyer’s premium of daggered (†) and (Ω) lots at the standard rate (currently 20%), and on lots marked (x) at the reduced rate (currently 5% on the Hammer price and 20% on the Buyer’s premium). VAT on Margin scheme lots (identified by the absence of any VAT symbol next to the lot number) is payable at 20% on the Buyer’s premium only.

5.3 VAT Refunds General 5.3.1 As we remain liable to account for VAT on all Lots unless they have been exported outside the eu within 3 months of the date of sale, you will generally be asked to deposit all amounts of VAT invoiced. However, if a Spink nominated shipper is instructed, then any refundable VAT will not be collected. In all other cases credits will be made when proof of export is provided. If you export the Lot yourself you must obtain shipping documents from the Shipping Department for which a charge of £50 will be made.

5.3.2 If you export the Lot you must return the valid proof of export certificate to us within 3 months of the date of sale. If you fail to return the proof of export certificate to us within such period and you have not already accounted to us for the VAT, you will be liable to us for the full amount of the VAT due on such Lot and we shall be entitled to invoice you for this sum.

5.3.3 To apply for a refund of any VAT paid, the proof of export certificate must be sent to our Shipping Department clearly marked ‘VAT Refund’ within 3 months of the date of sale. No payment will be made where the total amount of VAT refundable is less than £50 and Spink will charge £50 for each refund processed.

VAT Refunds - Buyers from within the EU 5.3.4 VAT refunds are available on the Hammer Price and Buyer’s Premium of Daggered (†) and Investment Gold (g) Lots. you must certify that you are registered for VAT in another eu country and that the Lot is to be removed from the united Kingdom within 3 months of the date of sale.

5.3.5 Where an eu buyer purchases a Lot on which import VAT has been charged, no refund of VAT is available from us. It may be possible to apply directly for a refund on form VAT 65 to HM Revenue & Customs Overeseas Repayment Section, Londonderry.

VAT Refunds – Buyers from outside the EU 5.3.6 Where a Lot is included within the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme and evidence of export from the eu is produced within 3 months of the date of sale, the VAT on Buyer’s Premium may be refunded.

5.3.7 Where the Lot is marked as a Daggered (†) or Investment Gold (g) Lot the VAT charged on the Hammer Price may be refunded where evidence of export from the eu is produced within 3 months of the date of sale. A refund of VAT charged on the Buyer’s Premium can also be made on receipt of proof of business as a collectibles dealer.

5.3.8 Where the Lot is marked as an Omega (Ω) Lot or an Import VAT (x) Lot and evidence of export from the eu is produced within 3 months of the date of sale, the VAT charged on both the Hammer Price and Buyer’s Premium may be refunded. Where required, we can advise you on how to export such Lots as a specific form of export evidence is required. Where we advise you on the export of the Lots, please be aware that the ultimate responsibility in respect of obtaining a valid proof of export certificate will lie with you and we will not be responsible for your failure to obtain such certificate.

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Payment 5.4.1 you must provide us with your full name and permanent address and, if so requested, details of the bank from which any payments to us will be made. you must pay the full amount due (comprising the Hammer Price, the Buyer’s Premium and any applicable VAT) within seven days after the date of the sale. This applies even if you wish to export the Lot and an export licence is (or may be) required.

5.4.2 you will not acquire title to the Lot until all amounts due have been paid in full. This includes instances where special arrangements were made for release of Lot prior to full settlement.

5.4.3 Payment should be made in sterling by one of the following methods: II(i) Direct bank transfer to our account details of which are set out on the invoice. All bank charges shall be met by you.

Please ensure that your client number is noted on the transfer. i(ii) By cheque or bank draft made payable to Spink and Son Ltd and sent to Spink at 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4eT. Please note that the processing charges for payments made by cheques or bank drafts drawn on a non-u.K bank shall be met by you. Please ensure that the remittance slip printed at the bottom of the invoice is enclosed with your payment. (iii) By Visa or Mastercard. A charge of 2% will be applied.

Payments exceeding £5,000 can normally only be made by the card holder in person whilst on our premises.

5.4.4 Payments should be made by the registered buyer and not by third parties, unless it has been agreed at the time of registration that you are acting as an agent on behalf of a third party.

5.5 Invoices Invoices may consist of one or more pages and will show: Zero rated Lots (o); no symbol Lots sold under the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme; Lots marked (g) special scheme Investment Gold; Daggered Lots (†), imported Lots marked (x) and (Ω), (e) Lots with Zero rated hammer for eu VAT registered buyers.

5.6 Collection of Purchases 5.6.1 unless we specifically agree to the contrary, we shall retain items sold until all amounts due to us, or to the Spink Group, have been paid in full.

5.6.2 unless we notify you to the contrary, items retained by us will be covered in accordance with our policy which is available for inspection at our offices from the date of sale for a period of seven days or until the time of collection, whichever is sooner. After seven days or from the time of collection, whichever is the earlier, the Lot will be entirely at your risk.

5.6.3 Our policy will not cover and we are unable to accept responsibility for damage caused by woodworm, changes in atmospheric conditions or acts of terrorism.

5.7 Notification We are not able to notify successful bidders by telephone. While Invoices are sent out by mail after the auction we do not accept responsibility for notifying you of the result of your bid. you are requested to contact us by telephone or in person as soon as possible after the auction to obtain details of the outcome of your bids to avoid incurring charges for late payment.

5.8 Packing and handling 5.8.1 We shall use all reasonable endeavours to take care when handling and packing a purchased Lot but remind you that after seven days or from the time of collection, whichever is sooner, the Lot is entirely at your risk. Our postage charges are set out at the back of the catalogue.

5.8.2 It is the responsibility of the Buyer to be aware of any Import Duties that may be incurred upon importation to the final destination. Spink will not accept return of any package in order to avoid these duties. The onus is also on the Buyer to be aware of any Customs import restrictions that prohibit the importation of certain collectibles. Spink will not accept return of the Lot(s) under these circumstances. Spink will not accept responsibility for Lot(s) seized or destroyed by Customs.

5.8.3 If the Buyer requires delivery of the Lot to an address other than the invoice address this will be carried out at the discretion of Spink.

5.9 Recommended packers and shippers If required our shipping department may arrange shipment as your agent. Although we may suggest carriers if specifically requested, our suggestions are made on the basis of our general experience of such parties in the past and we are not responsible to any person to whom we have made a recommendation for the acts or omissions of the third parties concerned.

5.10 Remedies for non-payment or failure to collect purchases 5.10.1 If you fail to make payment within seven days of your stipulated payment date set out in your invoice, we shall be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights or remedies: 5.10.1.1 to charge interest at the rate of 2% per month compound interest, calculated on a daily basis, from the date the full amount is due;

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5.10.1.2 to set off against any amounts which the Spink Group may owe you in any other transaction the outstanding amount remaining unpaid by you; 5.10.1.3 we may keep hold of all or some of your Lots or other property in the possession of the Spink Group until you have paid all the amounts you owe us or the Spink Group, even if the unpaid amounts do not relate to those Lots or other property.

Following fourteen days’ notice to you of the amount outstanding and remaining unpaid, the Spink Group shall have the right to arrange the sale of such Lots or other property. We shall apply the proceeds in discharge of the amount outstanding to us or the Spink Group, and pay any balance to you; 5.10.1.4 where several amounts are owed by you to the Spink Group in respect of different transactions, to apply any amount paid to discharge any amount owed in respect of any particular transaction, whether or not you so direct; 5.10.1.5 to reject at any future auction any bids made by you or on your behalf or obtain a deposit from you before accepting any bids.

5.10.2 If you fail to make payment within thirty-five days, we shall in addition be entitled: 5.10.2.1 to cancel the sale of the Lot or any other item sold to you at the same or any other auction; 5.10.2.2 to arrange a resale of the Lot, publicly or privately, and, if this results in a lower price being obtained, claim the balance from you together with all reasonable costs including a 20% seller’s commission, expenses, damages, legal fees, commissions and premiums of whatever kind associated with both sales or otherwise, incurred in connection with your failure to make payment; or 5.10.2.3 take any other appropriate action as we deem fit.

5.11 Failure to collect Where purchases are not collected within seven days after the sale, whether or not payment has been made, you will be required to pay a storage charge of £2 per item per day plus any additional handling cost that may apply. you will not be entitled to collect the Lot until all outstanding charges are met, together with payment of all other amounts due to us.

5.12 Export Licence 5.12.1 If required we can, at our discretion, advise you on the detailed provisions of the export licensing regulations. Where we advise you in relation to export licensing regulations the ultimate responsibility in respect of any export will lie with you and we will not be responsible for your failure to apply for any necessary licences.

5.12.2 If the Lot is going to be hand carried by you, you may be required to produce a valid export licence to us or sign a waiver document stating that a licence will be applied for.

5.12.3 you should always check whether an export licence is required before exporting. export licences are usually obtained within two or three weeks but delays can occur.

5.12.4 unless otherwise agreed by us in writing, the fact that you wish to apply for an export licence does not affect your obligation to make payment within seven days nor our right to charge interest on late payment.

5.12.5 If you request that we apply for an export licence on your behalf, we shall be entitled to recover from you our disbursements and out of pocket expenses in relation to such application, together with any relevant VAT. 5.12.6 We will not be obliged to rescind a sale nor to refund any interest or other expenses incurred by you where payment is made by you despite the fact that an export licence is required.

5.13 Refund in the case of Forgery 5.13.1 A sale will be cancelled, and the amount paid refunded to you if a Lot (other than a miscellaneous item not described in the catalogue) sold by us proves to have been a Forgery. We shall not however be obliged to refund any amounts if either (a) the catalogue description or saleroom notice at the auction date corresponded to the generally accepted opinion of scholars or experts at that time, or fairly indicated that there was a conflict of opinions, or (b) it can be demonstrated that the Lot is a Forgery only by means of either a scientific process not generally accepted for use until after publication of the catalogue or a process which at the date of the auction was unreasonably expensive or impracticable or likely to have caused damage to the Lot. Furthermore, you should note that this refund can be obtained only if the following conditions are met: 5.13.1.1 you must notify us in writing, within seven days of the receipt of the Lot(s), that in your view the Lot concerned is a Forgery; 5.13.1.2 you must then return the item to us within fourteen days from receipt of the Lot(s), in the same condition as at the

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5.13.1.3 as soon as possible following return of the Lot, you must produce evidence satisfactory to us that the Lot is a Forgery and that you are able to transfer good title to us, free from any third party claims.

5.13.2 In no circumstances shall we be required to pay you any more than the amount paid by you for the Lot concerned and you shall have no claim for interest.

5.13.3 The benefit of this guarantee is not capable of being transferred, and is solely for the benefit of the person to whom the original invoice was made out by us in respect of the Lot when sold and who, since the sale, has remained the owner of the Lot without disposing of any interest in it to any third party.

5.13.4 We shall be entitled to rely on any scientific or other process to establish that the Lot is not a Forgery, whether or not such process was used or in use at the date of the auction.

6 LIABILITY Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes our liability for: 6.1 death or personal injury resulting from negligence; or 6.2 any damage or liability incurred by you as a result of our fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

7 COPYRIGHT 7.1 We shall have the right (on a non-exclusive basis) to photograph, video or otherwise produce an image of the Lot. All rights in such an image will belong to us, and we shall have the right to use it in whatever way we see fit.

7.2 The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material relating to a Lot is and shall remain at all times our property and we shall have the right to use it in whatever way we see fit. You shall not use or allow anyone else to use such images, illustrations or written material without our prior written consent.

8 VAT You shall give us all relevant information about your VAT status and that of the Lot to ensure that the correct information is printed in the catalogues.

Once printed, the information cannot be changed. If we incur any unforeseen cost or expense as a result of the information being incorrect, you will reimburse to us on demand the full amount incurred.

9 NOTICES All notices given under these Terms and Conditions may be served personally, sent by 1st class post, or faxed to the address given to the sender by the other party. Any notice sent by post will be deemed to have been received on the second working day after posting or, if the addressee is overseas, on the fifth working day after posting. Any notice sent by fax or served personally will be deemed to be delivered on the first working day following despatch.

10 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS The following provisions of this clause 10 shall apply only if you are acting for the purposes of your business.

10.1 Limitation of Liability Subject to clause 6, we shall not be liable, whether in tort (including for negligence) or breach of statutory duty, contract, misrepresentation or otherwise for any: 10.1.1 loss of profits, loss of business, depletion of goodwill and/or similar losses, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goods, loss of contract, loss of use, loss of corruption of data or information; or 10.1.2 any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses.

10.2 Severability If any part of these Terms and Condition is found by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that part may be discounted and the rest of the conditions shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10.3 Force majeure We shall have no liability to you if we are prevented from, or delayed in performing, our obligations under these Terms and Conditions or from carrying on our business by acts, events, omissions or accidents beyond our reasonable control, including (without limitation) strikes, lock-outs or other industrial disputes (whether involving our workforce or the workforce of any other party), failure of a utility service or transport network, act of God, war, riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or direction, accident, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood, storm or default of suppliers or subcontractors.

10.4 Waiver 10.4.1 A waiver of any right under these Terms and Conditions is only effective if it is in writing and it applies only to the circumstances for which it is given. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions or by law shall constitute a waiver of that (or any other) right or remedy, nor preclude or restrict its further exercise. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall preclude or restrict the further exercise of that (or any other) right or remedy.

10.4.2 Unless specifically provided otherwise, rights arising under these Terms and Conditions are cumulative and do not exclude rights provided by law.

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10.5 Law and Jurisdiction 10.5.1 These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of England and Wales.

10.5.2 The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of, or in connection with, Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.

Postal Charges Prices for books (items sent by this method are not covered by insurance) Weight

UK

EU

Rest of the World

Up to 1kg

£8 for any weight

£12

£15

Up to 2kg

£8 for any weight

£18

£25

Prices for all other items including postage and packaging Invoice Value

UK

EU

Rest of the World

Up to £1,500

£10

£15

£20

Up to £10,000

£20

£30

£40

Above £10,001

£20

£50

£60

Shipments of more than 2kg or volumetric measurement of more than 2kg have to be sent by courier. Certain countries may incur extra charge when courier services are required by our insurance policy. For lots sent by courier please contact Auctionteam@spink.com for calculation of any further relevant cost in addition to the above charges.

Value Added Tax (VAT) Charging of (VAT) at Auction The information shown on this page sets out the way in which Spink intends to account for VAT. i.

Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme 1. Where possible, we will offer Lots for sale under the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme. Such Lots can be identified by the absence of any VAT symbol next to the Lot number in the catalogue and will not be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price.

2. Where Lots are sold using the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme to VAT–registered businesses, the VAT included within the Buyers’ Premium is not recoverable as input tax. Upon request on sale day, we will issue invoices that show VAT separately on both the Hammer Price and the Buyer’s Premium. This will enable VAT-registered businesses to recover the VAT charged as input tax, subject to the normal rules for recovering input tax.

ii.

Zero-Rated Lots Limited Categories of goods, such as books, are Zero-rated (o) for VAT in the United Kingdom. Such Lots are offered under the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme. In these circumstances no VAT will be added to the Buyer’s premium.

iii.

Daggered Lots Lots which are Daggered (†) in the catalogue are subject to VAT at 20% on both the Hammer Price and the Buyer’s Premium.

iv.

Starred and Omega Lots Lots which are marked (x) in the catalogue are subject to VAT at 5% on the Hammer price plus 20% on the Buyer’s premium. Lots which bear the Omega symbol (Ω) are subject to VAT at 20% on the Hammer Price and on the Buyer’s Premium. Such Lots bear VAT because the Lot is liable for VAT at this rate on importation into the EU.

v.

Investment Gold Lots Lots marked (g) in the catalogue are exempt from VAT on the Hammer Price and are subject to VAT at 20% on the Buyer’s Premium. A refund of VAT charged on the Buyer’s Premium can also be made on receipt of proof of business as a collectibles dealer.

vi.

Imported Lots Lots which are marked (x) and Lots which bear the Omega symbol (Ω) have VAT charged on the Hammer Price and Buyers’ Premium because they have been imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EU. In these cases we have used a temporary importation procedure, which in effect means that the point of importation is deferred until the Lot has been sold. At this point the Buyer is treated as the importer and is liable to pay the import VAT due. We will collect the VAT from you and pay it to HM Customs and Excise on your behalf.

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GROUP CHAIRMAN AND CEO Olivier D. Stocker YOUR SPECIALISTS STAMPS UK - Tim Hirsch Guy Croton David Parsons Nick Startup Neill Granger Paul Mathews Dominic Savastano Tom Smith USA - George Eveleth Richard Debney EUROPE - Guido Craveri Fernando Martínez CHINA - Anna Lee COINS UK - Mike Veissid Paul Dawson Richard Bishop William MacKay Eleanor Charlotte Dix Tim Robson Barbara Mears John Pett USA - Stephen Goldsmith Greg Cole Normand Pepin CHINA - Mark Li BANKNOTES, BONDS & SHARES UK - Barnaby Faull Mike Veissid Andrew Pattison USA - Stephen Goldsmith CHINA - Mark Li ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS & MILITARIA UK - Mark Quayle Oliver Pepys BOOKS UK - Philip Skingley Jennifer Mulholland AUTOGRAPHS USA - Stephen Goldsmith WINES CHINA - Anna Lee Guillaume Willk-Fabia YOUR EUROPE TEAM (LONDON - LUGANO) Chairman’s Office Monica Kruber Charles Blane

SALE CALENDAR 2013 STAMPS 15/16 August 10 September 21 September 22 September 22 October 23 October 23 October 24 October 13 November 14 November 14 November 15 November 11 December

The Collector’s Series Sale British East Africa and Uganda - The Award Winning Collections of George T. Krieger Stamps and Covers of South East Asia The Japanese Occupation Issues of South East Asia Bermuda - Dr. the Hon. David J. Saul Collection The Award Winning “Medina” Collection of India Part III Important British Empire Revenues The J. B. Bloom Collection of South Africa The Collector’s Series Sale The Robert Marion Collection of Mauritius Stamps and Postal History The “Lionheart” Collection of Great Britain and British Empire - Part II Postal History and Historical Documents Great Britain Stamps and Postal History

New York London Singapore Singapore London London London London London London London London London

144 13040 13030 13038 13045 13028 13041 13046 13043 13048 13049 13050 13044

Tibetan Coins from the Nick Rhodes Collection North East Indian Coins from the Nick Rhodes Collection Indian, Islamic, British and Anglo-Gallic Coins and Commemorative Medals World Coins and Commemorative Medals The Collector’s Series Sale Ancient, British & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals

Hong Kong London London London New York London

13020 13019 13014 13039 317 13015

World Banknotes The Ibrahim Salem Collection of African Banknotes Banknotes of Bermuda - Dr. the Hon. David J. Saul Collection The Collector’s Series Sale World Banknotes

London London London New York London

13018 13037 13047 317 13034

Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria

London London

13002 13003

The Collector’s Series Sale Bonds and Share Certificates of the World Bonds and Share Certificates of the World

New York Lugano London

317 SW1008 13017

The Collector’s Series Sale

New York

317

An Evening of Exceptional Wines

Singapore

SFW03

COINS 21 August 24 September 24/25 September 1 October 9/10 October 3 December

BANKNOTES 2/3 October 4 October 4 October 9/10 October 5 December

Directors Tim Hirsch Anthony Spink Auction & Client Management Team Miroslava Adusei-Poku Eleanor Ball Luca Borgo Rita Ariete Dora Szigeti John Winchcombe Harry Gladwin María Martínez Maurizio Schenini Finance Alison Bennet Marco Fiori Mina Bhagat Dennis Muriu Billy Tumelty Dean Dowdall IT & Administration Berdia Qamarauli Liz Cones Curlene Spencer Tom Robinson Cristina Dugoni Giacomo Canzi

MEDALS 25 July 21 November

BONDS AND SHARES 9/10 October 19/20 October 28 November

YOUR AMERICA TEAM (NEW YORK) Chairman Emeritus John Herzog Auction Administration and Marketing & Design Sonia Alves Luke Mitchell Finance & Administration Sam Qureshi Ingrid Qureshi Auctioneer Stephen Goldsmith

AUTOGRAPHS 9/10 October

WINES 20 September

The above sale dates are subject to change

YOUR ASIA TEAM (HONG KONG - SINGAPORE) Vice Chairman Anna Lee Administration Amy Yung Newton Tsang Raymond Tat Gary Tan

Spink offers the following services: – VALUATIONS FOR INSURANCE AND PROBATE FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OR WHOLE COLLECTIONS – – SALES ON A COMMISSION BASIS EITHER OF INDIVIDUAL PIECES OR WHOLE COLLECTIONS –

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THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1) R 218 THE NICHOLAS RHODES COLLECTION: COINS OF NORTH EAST INDIA (PART 1)

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24 SEPTEMBER 2013

STAMPS COINS BANKNOTES MEDALS BONDS & SHARES AUTOGRAPHS BOOKS WINES

24 SEPTEMBER 2013

LONDON