BRONZE COIN OF THE KUSHAN EMPIRE
The Kushan Empire covered much what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India from about the first to the third century AD. They grew wealthy controlling trade centers on the Silk Road and on the Indus River and incorporated elements of the Greek, Roman, Chinese, Persian, Indian and other cultures into their lives. Their coins incorporate Greek designs and often use a corrupted Greek alphabet in the legends. We offer a well made bronze Tetradrachms of Kushan king “Soter Megas”. The title “Soter Megas” means Great Savior. The coin, which grades VG to Fine, shows the Greek style diademed bust of the king on one side, and the king on horseback on the other. The king thought of himself as being so great, he did not need to put his actual name on the coin. Until quite recently however, scholars did not know who really was! It is now believed that he is Vima Takha who succeeded Kujula Kadphises, ruling from 80AD to 105AD. He expanded his empire into what is now Pakistan.
KUSHAN BRONZE TETRADRACHM, SOTER MEGAS 80-105AD VG-F $9.75
ANCIENT KUSHANO-SASSANIAN COPPER COIN
After the split of the Kushan Empire around 230AD, the eastern portion became a vassal state of the Sassanian Empire is known as the Kushano-Sassanians. It controlled parts of what are now Afghanistan and Pakistan. It remained until about 350AD, when the area was conquered by the White Huns (Hephthalites). These small, crude copper coins, sometimes called a Drachm or a unit, were minted between about 330 and 350AD. They are some of the last coins of the Kushano-Sassanians. They are modeled after the Sassanian silver Drachm, however are smaller and much cruder. One side features the bust of the king, the other features a Zoroastrian fire altar.
KUSHANO-SASSANIAN COPPER, ca.330-350AD G-CRUDE $7.00
COINS OF THE KIDARITES
The Kidarites were nomadic Huns that conquered the Kushano-Sassanians sometime around 350AD. They are sometime referred to as the “Red Huns”. Very little is known about them. They controlled an area that now is made up of parts of northern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, as well as parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. . They ruled the region until about 500AD. The Kidarites appear to have been a confederacy of warlords, many of whom issued coins. Not having had a tradition of coinage, they copied the basic designs and fabric of the coins they found in circulation without an apparent understanding of the meaning of the designs. Some of the coins are modeled on Sassanian or Kushano-Sassanian coins depicting the bust of the king and a fire altar. Other coins are modeled after Kushan or other Indian coins and feature various deities or a standing king. There is a wide variety of extremely crude and primitive Kidarite copper coins. These scarce, crude Kidarite copper coins are unusual pieces from a little know Hunnic tribe.
KIDARITE COPPER UNIT, circa 350-500AD, CRUDE $5.00
SILVER COINS OF THE HABBARID AMIRS OF SIND
Sind, located in what is now the south-eastern portion of Pakistan, was conquered by the Umayyad empire in 711AD during the reign of Caliph al-Walid. The Umayyad conquest was brought about by Sind pirates attacking Arab vessels and imprisoning Muslim widows and orphans. Sind became easternmost province of the vast Umayyad Caliphate which stretched from Spain to India. By the late 9th Century the Habbarid (Hibari) Dynasty was able assert control over Sind, giving only nominal allegiance to the Caliph. In 1010AD the Ghaznavids conquered Sind. The coinage of the Habbarid of Sind (also known as the Amirs of Sindh) consisted of these small (10 to 11mm) silver Dhammas. The coins feature Arabic inscriptions on both sides.
SIND SILVER DHAMMA circa 870-1009AD F-VF. $7.00
LAST COIN OF THE GHAZNAVID EMPIRE
The Ghaznavid Empire was founded in 975AD by Turkish slave soldiers. At its peak it ruled an area that now consists of parts of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan,Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and north-west India. It grew wealthy due to its trading position on the Silk Road and regular raids into India. By the time Sultan Khusrau Malik came to power in 1160 it was in serious decline. It lost its territory in Central Asia and Iran and eventually lost its capital city of Ghazi to Turkish and Ghorid invaders. Khusrau Malik then moved the capital to Lahore. Lahore was initially spared from the Ghorid invaders when Khusrau Malik paid them bypass the city, however the Ghorids eventually laid siege to the city. In 1186 he was captured by the Ghorids on a ruse. They promised to release his son who had earlier been taken hostage. Instead they captured him as soon as he left the safety of his fort; bringing an end to Ghaznavid rule. The 15mm bronze Jital was minted for Khusrau Malik in Lahore. One side features an extremely crude line drawing of a Brahma bull. The other side has inscriptions. This inexpensive coin is the sad end of a once rich and glorious empire.
GHAZNAVID, KHUSRAU MALIK, 1160-86AD JITAL Tye 119 F-VF $5.00
OLD COIN FROM KASHMIR
This copper 1 Punchashi (also called a Kaserah) was struck by Fath Shah, who was took the throne of Kashmir in 1486. He repeatedly lost and regained the throne over the years through seemingly endless battles and palace intrigues, until he died in 1520. He paid his mercenaries by allowing them to plunder his capital. Today Kashmir is still a strife-filled land. Parts of it are controlled by Pakistan, India and China, who have repeatedly gone to war to try to enforce their claims.
KASHMIR COPPER PUNCHASHI FATH SHAH 1486-1520AD FINE $8.00
SILVER RUPEE OF MUGHAL EMPEROR MUHAMMAD SHAH FROM BANARAS MINT
Muhammad Shah was placed on the throne of the Mughal Empire of India in 1719 by the Sayyid Brothers. The Brothers were Mughal generals who had made and deposed previous Emperors, making the Emperor little more than a figurehead. They set themselves up as regents for Muhammad Shaw, however the Emperor soon had them killed and took control of the country. Unfortunately he was a poor administrator, more interested in arts and culture than statecraft. The nation underwent a great decline during his reign, including an invasion by the Persians who sacked and looted the capital. The decline of the once powerful empire provided an opening for the British, who eventually took control of most of India. Muhammad Shaw as said to have died of grief in 1748 after hearing that his friend, Grand Vizier Qamaruddin Khan died in battle. This silver Rupee of Muhammad Shah was minted between 1744 and 1748 at the Muhammadabad Banaras (now called Varanasi) Mint. Varanasi, located on the Ganges river, is the spiritual center of India. It is the most visited pilgrimage site in India. Bathing in the highly polluted river is believed to wash away all of one’s sins. The coin grades Almost Uncirculated, however has a single small shroff mark (punch mark) to test if the coin was good silver.
MUGHAL INDIA 1 RUPEE MUHAMMAD SHAH, 1744-48, BANARAS KM436.15 AU-shroff mark $48.00
INEXPENSIVE GOLD COIN FROM COCHIN, INDIA
Cochin is an ancient trading port located near the southern tip of India. It traded with the Romans in ancient times. Vasco da Gama set up a trading center in Cochin in 1502. Over the years control of the region changed hands many times. These tiny gold fannams were produced in Cochin from about 1795 to 1850, regardless of who was in control. The coins were popular with the natives as it allowed even the poor to be able to hoard gold. The coins are about 7 to 9mm in diameter and weigh between about .3 and .4 grams. The design consists of a series of lines and dots. It is one of the least expensive gold coins available today.
COCHIN, INDIA GOLD FANNAM (KM10) VF-XF $39.50
RARE DUTCH INDIA DUIT DEPICTS KALI
The Dutch took Negapatnam, a port city in south-east India, from the Portuguese in 1658. It served as the capital of the Dutch East India Companies operations in southeast India from 1690 until it was conquered by the British in 1784. In 1695 the Dutch mint in Negapatnam struck these crude, undated, copper Duits for use in southeast India and Ceylon. One side has a crude depiction of the Goddess Kali, the Goddess of death, destruction and disease. The other side has the name of the city in Tamil. The coin is about 13mm to 14mm in diameter. Coins of Dutch India are difficult to find.
DUTCH INDIA - NEGAPATNAM 1 DUIT (1795) KM26 FINE-Crude $30.00
COIN OF DUTCH OCCUPIED FRENCH INDIA
The French East India Company took control and established a trading post at Pondicherry on the south east coast of India in 1673. In 1693 the Dutch East India Company captured the town and controlled it until 1699, when it was returned to the French by the Treaty of Ryswick. The Dutch issued this undated bronze 1 Cash coin during the brief six year period of Dutch control of Pondicherry. The coin features a crude depiction of Kali, the Hindu Goddess of death, destruction and disease on one side and Hindu legends on the other.
DUTCH PONDICHERRY 1 CASH KM23 1693-98 F-Crude $35.00
BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY COIN OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
This copper 1 Cash coin was struck by the British East India Company from 1730’s to the 1750’s for use in their Madras Presidency. The Madras Presidency controlled a vast territory encompassing much of south-west India. The royally chartered but privately owned stock company had its own army and exercised administrative control of the region as well as minting its own coins. The appointed company official in charge of the region was called a President, hence the name “Presidency”. These small (8 - 10mm) coins have a simple design, with the East India Company “bale mark” on one side and the date on the other. Despite the simple design, not much care was taken making the hand-struck coins, and in most examples the last digit of the date is not visible. Those with a readable date have a catalog value of $115.00. We have some that are dated 1733, and some without the last digit of the date which we can offer for much less.
MADRAS 1 CASH, KM302, DATED 1733, VF $55.00
MADRAS 1 CASH, KM302, INCOMPLETE DATE, VF $29.00
HIGH GRADE PIE OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY BENGAL PRESIDENCY
Until 1835 the British East India Company ruled India through regions known as Presidencies. Each Presidency issued its own coins. From the Bengal Presidency we have this undated copper 1 Pie coin. The design consists only of the denomination written in English, Bengali, Persian and Hindi. The 16.5mm coin was struck at the Calcutta mint from 1831 until 1835. It is Uncirculated, though has picked up some toning over the last 180 or so years, so we call it AU-UNC.
BRITISH EAST INDIA CO.-BENGAL 1 PIE (1830-35) KM58 AU-UNC $20.00
HARD TO FIND ELICHPUR PAISA
Elichpur was a feudatory state in India under suzerainty of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Today it is a city of about 112,000 people called Achalpur in Maharashtra state. From approximately 1775 to 1830 it issued a thick, undated copper Paisa. The coin varied in size, however it usually weighed between 11 and 12 grams. One side featured a crude lion, with its tail raised. The other side had the mint name in Persian. The hand-struck coin is typically somewhat off-center.
ELICHPUR 1 PAISA KM10 (1775-1830) VG-crude $7.00
SCARCE SILVER COIN OF GARHWAL
Garhwal was a small mountainous kingdom that stretched from the foothills of the Himalayas to the border of Tibet. It was founded in the 9th Century AD and was controlled by the same ruling dynasty until it was invaded by Nepal in 1803. It issued few coins throughout its long history. The silver Timasha was a local denomination unique to Garhwal, and was the only precious metal coin issued by that kingdom. This undated silver Timasha was struck between 1759 and 1772, during the reign of Pradip Shah. It was during his reign that Garhwal achieved its greatest power. In keeping with Indian tradition, the coin was struck in the name of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. It is a crudely made coin that shows minimal wear, however it is unevenly struck and off center. This Timasha of Garhwal is a scarce silver coin from a rarely encountered Indian kingdom.
GARHWAL SILVER TIMASHA (1759-1772) C10 VF-CRUDE $29.50
OLD, UNCIRCULATED COIN OF GWALIOR
Under the British rule of India, some states retained the right to issue their own coins. These are called Princely State or Native State issues. After gaining independence, the Republic of India put an end to these coins. Gwalior, located in central India, issued this copper 1/4 Anna in 1913. One side depicts Maharaja Madho Rao, the other has the coat-of-arms. It is an unusually thick coin, 2.2mm. The coin is in its original mint state, though Uncirculated though is weakly struck.
GWALIOR 1/4 ANNA 1913 KM170 UNC. $15.00
EDWARD VIII COIN OF JODHPUR
Edward VIII became King of Great Britain and Emperor of India on January 20, 1936 upon the death of his father, George V. He abdicated on December 11 of the same year in order to Wallis Simpson, a twice divorced American woman. Though Great Britain did not issue any coins of Edward VIII, the Indian state of Jodhpur issued this copper 1/4 Anna in the name of Edward VIII and Maharaja Umaid Singh. The thick copper coin is approximately 19mm in diameter. It is an interesting coin from of one of the shortest reigning monarchs in British history.
JODHPUR 1/4 ANNA 1936 EDWARD VIII KM132 VF $7.00
PUVEERA TOKEN FROM TANJORE
Tanjore, now known as Thanjavur, is a city in south India. It did not have the authority to issue coins. In the late 19th or early 20th century it issued these small copper Puveera tokens, apparently to help carry on commerce during an important local festival.
TANJORE PUVEERA TOKEN, 19th-20th CENTURY, VG-VF $5.00
UNCIRCULATED INDIAN BRONZE COIN SET OF GEORGE V
This three coin set includes the Indian 1/12 Anna, 1/2 Pice and 1/4 Anna of George V in Uncirculated condition. The coins date between 1924 and 1936. The coins are the three denominations struck in bronze at that time. They all have similar designs with George V on the obverse and the denomination and date within a wreath on the reverse. The coins are Uncirculated, though may show some minor toning. It is an attractive set issued when India was the “crown jewel” of the British Empire.
INDIA 3 COIN SET: 1/12 ANNA, 1/2 Pice & 1/4 ANNA UNC. $17.50
SILVER RUPEES OF BRITISH INDIA
The British Indian Rupee served as the standard currency throughout India as well as much of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf region, as well as parts of eastern Africa and sections of east Asia. It contained 11.66 grams of .917 fine silver, giving it a total of .3415 troy ounces of silver. It was based on the earlier Mughal silver Rupee which was established in the 16th century. The obverse depicted British monarch who was also the Emperor of India. The George V Rupees were struck for circulation from 1911 until 1922 and depict George wearing robes and a crown. The reverse has the denomination within a floral wreath containing a lotus blossom, rose, shamrock and thistle, representing the India, England, Ireland and Scotland. We offer the 1919 George V Rupee from the Bombay mint in Uncirculated condition. We also have circulated George V Rupees of other dates.
INDIA SILVER RUPEE GEORGE V 1912-1919, KM524 F-VF $24.00
INDIA SILVER RUPEE 1919(b) KM524 UNC. $38.00
HINDU TEMPLE TOKENS (RAMA TANKAS)
A variety of temple tokens, commonly known as Rama Tankas, were made in India between the mid-19th and mid-20th Century. The privately minted tokens were sold or distributed at temples and bazaars. They were often given as gifts and would be treasured by families. Most are made from brass or silver-plated brass and tend to be crudely engraved. The most common types featured a scene from the ancient Hindu epoch poem called the Ramayana on the obverse. It depicts Rama and his wife Sita, seated on a platform, holding court (Durbar). To their right are their sons Kusha and Lava. An attendant holding a parasol is on their left. Beneath is Hanuman, the monkey god. The coins often bear a false date, which has nothing to do when the token was actually struck, but instead has a numerical significance. AfterWorld War II the use of the Rama Tankas died out. We have the following major types of silver-plated brass Rama Tankas depicting Rama and Sita on the obverse and various reverses:
Rama and his brother Lakshmana standing.
Hanuman running, holding a mace and a basket containing the medicinal herb Sanjeevani Jagannath, with his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra. Jagannath is a major local god in Orissa, who is considered to be a form of Vishnu. His temple is in Puri.
A Yantra, or mathematical magic square: the numbers 1 through 9 are lined up so they add up to 15 in every direction
The silver plated tokens were probably struck between 1920 and 1940 and are approximately 28mm in diameter. The tokens are crudely struck. They show minimal wear, though may have a bit of green caused by the underlying brass. They are unusual though little known though highly collectible pieces.
INDIA RAMATANKA - BROTHERS RAMA & LAKSHMANA, SILVER PLATED BRASS $15.00
INDIA RAMATANKA - HANUMAN, SILVER PLATED BRASS $24.00
INDIA RAMATANKA - JAGANNATH, SILVER PLATED BRASS $20.00
INDIA RAMATANKA - MAGIC SQUARE SILVER PLATED BRASS $24.00
TEA STALL TOKEN FROM INDIA
One side of this unusual oblong 27.5mm x 17mm copper token has the legends "TEA STALL * H.M. * LTD. INDORE", the other side depicts the number "4" on a teacup. The token is attributed as a 4 Anna token issued by Hukumchand Mills in Indore, India. The token was probably used in the company canteen sometime between the 1930’s and 1950’s. Hukumchand Mills was a large cotton mill that went bankrupt and closed down in 1991, owing wages and benefits to some 6000 workers. Since then the mill has been torn down. Attempts have been made to sell the land to provide funds to pay the workers, however disputes between various government agencies has prevented the sale of the land. After 25 years, the workers have still not been paid and the case drags on in court.
INDIA TEA STALL TOKEN, HUKUMCHAND MILLS, LTD. INDORE. Fine $8.00
LAST COINS OF PORTUGUESE INDIA
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first visited India in 1498. Portugal soon became the first European nation to establish colonies in India, and for many years enjoyed a profitable monopoly on European trade with India. With the coming of the British and Dutch in the 17th century, Portuguese power declined, until all that was left were three minor outposts on the west coast of India. In 1961, after years of preaching non-violence, the Indian armed forces invaded these last remaining outposts and forcibly annexed them, thus bringing an end to this long series of colonial coins. We offer some of the last coins of Portuguese India in Uncirculated condition. The 1959 1 and 3 Escudos were the last of those denominations produced for Portuguese India. They both have similar designs, with the arms of Portuguese India on one side and the arms of Portugal on the other. Both are copper-nickel. The bronze 1961 10 Centavos was the last coin produced for Portuguese India before the invasion by India. It features the arms of Portuguese India on one side and the denomination on the other.
PORTUGUESE INDIA 1 & 3 ESCUDOS 1959, KM33 & 34 UNC. $18.00
PORTUGUESE INDIA 10 CENTAVOS 1961 KM30 UNC. $7.00
INDIA’S FIRST DECIMAL COINS INCLUDE ODD SHAPES
India introduced their first decimal coins in 1957. The coins were initially called Naye Paise, or new Paise, to distinguish them from the previous coins. In order to aid the many blind in the country, each coin was distinctly different. This four coin set includes the round 1 Naye Paisa, scalloped edge 2 Naye Paisa, the square 5 Naye Paise, and the scalloped edge 10 Naye Paisa all dated 1957. The coins have the denomination on one side and the lions from the Sarnath pillar of Ashoka, which serves as the national emblem of India.
INDIA 4 COIN SET 1-10 NAYE PAISE, 1957 UNC. $6.00
HUNDIS FROM INDIA
The Hundi is a financial instrument developed by the native bankers in India. It can perform a variety of banking tasks. Depending on how it is written it may act like a Bill of Exchange, extension of credit, transfer of funds, or a travelers check. The Indian government, seeing a lucrative source of revenue, required all Hundis to be written on a special watermarked government form bearing a tax imprint. We offer a set of two Hundi notes. Included is a Hundi bearing a 2 Rupee tax imprint on a mostly blank form that references another document, and a Hundi bearing a 1 Rupee tax imprint that is on a pre-printed form for the Swadeshi Cotton Mills Company Limited. The Hundis are approximately 220mm x 130mm (5.25” x 8.75”) and were issued in the 1970’s. It is an unusual financial instrument that is rarely offered for sale.
SET OF 2 INDIAN HUNDI NOTES: 1 & 2 RUPEES, CANCELLED $4.50
INDIA CELEBRATES THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
India celebrated its hosting of the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi with these commemorative 2 and 5 Rupee coins. One side features the logo of the Games, the other features the features three lions from the Pillar of Asoka. The games drew 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competing in 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games ever. It was also the most expensive costing over $2 billion, substantially above its original budget of $307 million. Despite apprehension in the weeks leading up to the game due slow pace in completing the facilities the Games were well received and closed on a positive note
INDIA COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2 & 5 RUPEES, 2010 UNC. $6.00
TIGERS ON INDIA BANK COMMEMORATIVES
A tiger standing in front of a palm tree are featured on each of these four coins commemorating the "Platinum Jubilee" (75th anniversary) of the Reserve Bank of India. The design is the seal of the bank, which was based on the gold Mohur coin of the British East India Company. The bank was founded in 1935 as a privately held institution that acted as the central bank for India. It was also the central bank for Burma until 1947. Following India's independence, it was nationalized in 1949 and is now held by the Indian government. It is the main monetary authority in India, with responsibility for all currency issues, management of foreign exchange, credit and interest rates. It is the supervisor and lender of last resort of all Indian commercial banks. Despite these vast powers, the coins it issued to commemorate itself are poorly struck with weak or missing design elements. It makes one wonder just how effective the Bank really is. The four coin set includes the bi-metallic 10 Rupees, nickel-brass 5 Rupees, stainless steel 2 and 1 Rupees dated 2010. The 3 lions from the ancient Pillar of Ashoka is on the obverse. Together the coins catalog for $16.00, however our price is much less.
INDIA 1, 2, 5 & 10 RUPEES 2010 RESERVE BANK OF INDIA KM385-388 UNC-weakly struck $7.50
60 YEARS OF INDIA'S PARLIAMENT
India issued two circulating commemorative coins to honor the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament of India: a 27mm bimetallic 10 Rupees, and a 23mm nickel-brass 5 Rupees. Both 2012 dated coins have similar designs featuring Parliament House on one side and the Lion capitol of the Pillar of Ashoka on the other. Both coins are Uncirculated, though may be a bit weakly struck.
INDIA 5 RUPEES & 10 RUPEES, 2012 60th ANNIVERSARY OF PARLIAMENT, UNC. $6.00
RECENT INDIAN 5 RUPEES HONOR MINT, POLITICIAN & SWAMI
India recently released three circulating 5 Rupee coins. The 60th Anniversary of the Kolkata (Calcutta) Mint in honored on a 2012 dated 5 Rupees picturing the mint building. The original mint was founded by the British in 1757 in a building next to the infamous Black Hole in old Fort William. The present mint, also known as the Alipore Mint, was started in the 1930’s, but did not open until 1952, due to delays caused by World War II. Motilal Nehru is portrayed on a 2012 dated 5 Rupees commemorating the 150th Anniversary of his birth. Nehru was an important leader in the Congress Party and is the patriarch of the Nehru-Gandhi family that has dominated Indian politics for decades. The 150th Anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda commemorated on this undated 5 Rupee bearing his image. The coin lists his birth and death years: 1862 - 1902. He is considered a Patriotic Saint in India and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day. He is credited with bringing awareness of Hindu philosophies and Yoga to the Western world and helped revive Hinduism and Indian Nationalism within India. All three coins 23mm nickel-bronze coins feature the three lions from the ancient Pillar of Asoka on the obverse
INDIA 5 RUPEES 2012 KOLKATA MINT, UNC. out
INDIA 5 RUPEES 2012 MOTILAL NEHRU, UNC. $3.00
INDIA 5 RUPEES SWAMI VIVEKANANDRA UNC. $3.00
INDIA 2015 INDO-PAKISTAN WAR COMMEMORATIVE
India released this circulating 5 Rupees coin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. It features the Amar Jawan Jyoti, or Flame of the Immortal Soldier, along with the words “VALOUR AND SACRIFICE” and “GOLDEN JUBILEE 1965 OPERATIONS”. I guess "1965 Operations" is more politically correct when you are trying to make peace with your neigbor than "Indo-Pak War". The coin utilizes the standard 5 Rupee obverse which features the three lions from the ancient Pillar of Asoka.
INDIA 5 RUPEES 2015 INDO-PAKISTAN WAR JUBILEE, BU $3.00
BI-METALLIC 2012 INDIA 10 RUPEE
This bi-metallic 2012 dated 10 Rupees coin from India was struck at the Noida mint. The mintmark is a dot below the date. Nodia is short for the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority. It is a modern planned city located near New Delhi that came into administrative existence in 1976. The obverse features the national emblem of the three lions from the Pillar of Asoka. The Pillar of Asoka is a sandstone monument from the third century BC. The reverse of the coin features 10 rays, representing “connectivity and information technology”. Beneath the rays is the new Rupee symbol and the number 10. The coin is Uncirculated, but like most modern Indian coins, may not be well struck.
INDIA 10 RUPEES 2012(N) KM400, UNC. $3.00
10 RUPEE COMMEMORATES GHANDI'S RETURN TO INDIA
India commemorated the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India on this 2015 bi-metallic 10 Rupee coin. The coin features portraits of Ghandi as a young man and late in his life. After spending 21 years in South Africa where he gained a reputation as a civil rights activist, Ghandi returned to India in 1915. He received a hero’s welcome. He later went on to become the leader in India’s independence movement, employing non-co-operation, nonviolence and peaceful resistance. The obverse features the denomination and the ancient Pillar of Asoka. The coin is Uncirculated, however is poorly minted.
INDIA 10 RUPEES GHANDI, 2015 UNC.-weak $4.00
DAY OF YOGA COMMEMORATED ON BI-METAL INDIAN 10 RUPEES
The United Nations declared that June 21, 2015, the summer solstice, to be the First International Day of Yoga. Yoga is an ancient Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. To commemorate the event India issued a bi-metallic 10 Rupees coin. The coin is dated June 21, 2015 and features the International Day of Yoga emblem along with the legends "INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA" and "YOGA FOR HARMONY & PEACE" in English and Hindi. The standard 10 Rupee design featuring the ancient Pillar of Asoka is on obverse. Because we received requests for multiple pieces from those that wanted to hand them out at their Yoga class, we now offer the coin in groups of 10 at a discounted price.
INDIA 10 RUPEES YOGA DAY, 2015 UNC. $4.00
INDIA HONORS AMBEDKAR ON 10 RUPEES
India commemorated the 125th anniversary of the birth of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on this 2015 dated bi-metallic 10 Rupee coin. Dr. Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, was a lawyer, politician and social reformer. He helped craft the India’s constitution and campaigned against discrimination against the Dalits (Untouchables). The poorly struck coin depicts Dr. Ambedkar seated at a desk with a book. The obverse features the ancient Lion Pillar of Asoka and the denomination.
INDIA 10 RUPEES 2015 Dr. B.R. AMBEDKAR, UNC.-poor strike $4.00
ZERO RUPEE ANTI-CORRUPTION NOTE FROM INDIA
Bribes, graft and corruption has been is a major issue in India. Citizens are tired of having to pay bribes to government officials in order for them to do their job. Recently a number of anti-corruption groups have been rising up throughout the country. One of these groups, called 5th Pillar, issued these Zero Rupee anti-corruption notes. The front of the note is modeled after the 50 Rupee note, which is often used for small bribes. The back provides information about the organization and its goals in Hindi and English. The idea is to embarrass government officials that ask for bribes by giving them one of these anti-corruption notes. The notes have been distributed throughout India and the program appears to be getting some positive results. It has won international acclaim and is spawning imitators in other nations with a problem with corruption. We offer both the Zero Rupee note and the real 50 Rupee note upon which it was modeled. Both feature Mahatma Gandhi.
INDIA ZERO RUPEES ANTI-CORRUPTION NOTE, UNC. $2.00
INDIA 50 RUPEES 2009 P97f UNC. out
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS COIN SET
Native wildlife is featured on this set of seven unofficial 2011 dated coins from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The territory, located in the Indian Ocean, consists of 572 islands, of which just 38 are permanently inhabited. Denmark, Austria and Britain all attempted to colonize the islands. Britain eventually turned it into a penal colony. Japan occupied it in World War II. They are now a Union Territory of India. Over the years the indigenous inhabitants have been almost completely wiped out by disease, land encroachments and punitive military expeditions. Most of the few hundred that remain maintain a steadfast independence, refusing all outside contact. The bi-metallic 20 Rupees pictures a Nautilus. The bi-metallic 10 Rupees depicts a Dugong. An Indian Wild Boar is on the 5 Rupees. A Coconut Crab is shown on the 2 Rupees. The 1 Rupee has a Kuhl’s Flying Gecko. A Stork-billed Kingfisher is on the 50 Paisa and the Anadman clubtail butterfly is on the 25 Paise. The arms of the islands is on the obverse of each coin. Only 10,000 sets were minted.
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 7 COIN SET, 2011 UNC. $29.50
INDIVIDUAL COINS FROM THE ABOVE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR COIN SET:
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 20 RUPEE NAUTILUS BIMETALLIC, 2011 UNC. $12.00
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 10 RUPEE DUGONG BIMETALLIC, 2011 UNC. $10.00
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 5 RUPEE WILD BOAR, 2011 UNC. $5.00
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 2 RUPEE COCONUT CRAB, 2011 UNC. $4.50
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 1 RUPEE FLYING GECKO, 2011 UNC. $4.00
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 50 PAISA KINGFISHER, 2011 UNC. $3.00
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 25 PAISA KINGFISHER, 2011 UNC. $3.00
PAKISTAN CELEBRATES 1400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEJIRA
In the summer of 622AD, Mohammad, warned of a plot to assassinate him, escaped from Mecca to Medina. The event, known as the Hejira (Hijrah, Hegira), marks the beginning if the Islamic Calendar. Because the Hejira calendar is based on the moon rather than the sun, the years are about 11 days shorter than the AD calendar. In 1981 Pakistan issued this circulating commemorative 1 Rupee to commemorate the 1400th Anniversary of the Hejira. The copper-nickel coin is 26mm in diameter. One side depicts an Arabic inscription. The moon and a star, a symbol of both Pakistan and Islam, is on the other.
PAKISTAN 1 RUPEE HEJIRA AD1981, AH1401 KM55 UNC. $3.00
PAKISTAN CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY OF SUBMARINE FORCE
Pakistan commemorated the 50th anniversary of its Submarine Force with 30mm copper-nickel 25 Rupee coin dated 2014. The coin depicts Pakistan’s first submarine the PNS Ghazi. The submarine was originally commissioned by the United States in 1945 as the USS Diablo. It was leased to Pakistan in 1964. It was lost under mysterious circumstances in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, during which Bangladesh achieved its independence from Pakistan. The obverse depicts the crescent moon and star and wreaths of grain. Only 50,000 coins were minted.
PAKISTAN 25 RUPEES 2014 SUBMARINE FORCE, UNC. $6.00
TINY GOLD COIN OF NEPAL
This tiny gold Dam (1/128 gold Mohar) of Nepal was issued by King Surendra between 1847 and 1881. The coin is approximately 7mm in diameter. The coin is so thin that the reverse is the incuse impression of the obverse. Surendra became king at age 18 in 1847 when the Prime Minister, Jung Bahadur Rana, forced his father to abdicate. King Surendra had virtually no power. He was kept a prisoner in his palace by the Prime Minister who controlled who he could see and what he could read. The Prime Minister had his eldest son at age eight marry the eldest daughter of the king who was six years old. He then had his second son marry the second daughter of the king, and had the king’s oldest son marry three of his daughters.
NEPAL GOLD DAM, KING SUNENDRA 1847-1881 KM604 XF $49.75
NEPAL CELBRATES NEWSPAPER
In 2000 Nepal issued a circulating commemorative 1 Rupee commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gorkhapatra Newspaper. The paper was the first to be established in Nepal. The 20mm brass coin features an inscription within a “wreath” made up of 10 newspaper readers. The obverse is the traditional Kingdom of Nepal emblem featuring various Hindu symbols
NEPAL 1 RUPEE NEWSPAPER VS2057-2000AD KM1139 UNC. $2.00
NEPAL HONORS SIKH HOLY BOOK
Though Nepal was a Hindu kingdom, it issued this silver 250 Rupee coin in 2004 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the compiling of the Sikh holy scriptures. The scriptures known as the Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of devotional hymns and poetry drawn from Sikh as well as Hindu and Muslim sources. The book is considered to be a “living” Guru (teacher). It was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru Shri Arjan and first released in 1604. The scriptures stress meditation, and lays down moral and ethical rules for development of the soul, spiritual salvation and unity with God. The 32mm silver coin comes in a descriptive card. One side of the coin depicts the Holy Book and The Khanda – the Sikh emblem. The other side is the traditional emblem of the Kingdom of Nepal.
NEPAL 250 RUPEES GURU GRANTH SAHIB VS2061=2004AD KM1184 UNC. $45.00
NEPAL COIN HONORS SCOUTING
Nepal recently released this 2012 dated copper-nickel 50 Rupee coin commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Scouting in Nepal. One side of the coin depicts the Nepal Scout emblem. The other side features Baden Powell Scout Peak. The peak, formerly known as Urkema Peak, was renamed by the government of Nepal in 2007 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the world Scouting movement. The peak, part of the Himalayas, stands 19,114 feet (5826m).
NEPAL 50 RUPEES 2012 NEPAL SCOUTS UNC. $8.00
Also see:
100th ANNIVERSARY SCOUTING COIN FROM PORTUGAL
2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the Scouting movement, founded by Robert Baden-Powell in England. To commemorate the event Portugal issued an this silver 5 Euro coin with a modernistic portrait of Lord Baden-Powell on one side and the Portuguese Arms and the Scouting logo on the other.
PORTUGAL 5 EURO 2007 SCOUTING SILVER BU $29.95
NEPAL CELEBRATES JUNIOR RED CROSS WITH A COLORED COIN
In March 2015 Nepal released a 100 Rupee coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Nepal Junior Red Cross Society. The 29mm copper-nickel colored coin features a red cross on one side and Mount Everest on the other. The coin is dated VS2071 which corresponds to 2014-2015 AD. Founded in 1965 as a wing of the Nepal Red Cross Society, the Nepal Junior Red Cross has some 800,000 members in almost 3,500 circles spread throughout the country. Their training proved valuable in the aftermath of the recent earthquake. The coin is Uncirculated, though may have some toning due to the way the Nepal mint handles coins.
NEPAL 100 RUPEES JR. RED CROSS, 2015 $10.00
NEPAL HONORS PHILATELIC SOCIETY AND FIRST STAMP
Nepal issued this 100 Rupee coin in 2016 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Nepal Philatelic Society. One side of the coin depicts the first postage stamp of Nepal, which was first issued in 1881. The other side features the emblem of the Nepal Philatelic Society, and the denomination. The coin has legends in both English and Nepali. The copper-nickel coin is 29mm in diameter and has a plain edge.
NEPAL 100 RUPEES 2016 PHILITELIC SOCIETY / FIRST STAMP, UNC. $8.00
FIRST COINS OF BHUTAN - THE SILVER AND COPPER DEB RUPEES
The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area.
BHUTAN SILVER DEB (1/2) RUPEE circa 1790-1840 VF $18.50
BHUTAN COPPER DEB (1/2) RUPEE circa 1835-1910 VF $5.00
10 of the above BHUTAN COPPER 1/2 RUPEE COINS VF $40.00
ATTRACTIVE COIN OF BHUTAN FEATURES BUDDHIST SYMBOLS
This attractive 1 Pice coin of Bhutan has an unusual design. One side features four Buddhist symbols. The other side is divided into nine sections featuring eight Buddhist symbols and the name of the country in the Bhutanese language in the central square. The 21.3mm undated bronze coin was struck in 1951 and 1955. The coin is Uncirculated.
BHUTAN 1 PICE (1951-1955) KM27 UNC. $5.00
MODERN COINS OF BHUTAN
Bhutan is a small, isolated kingdom tucked between Tibet and India. The nation’s rich Buddhist heritage is reflected in this 3 coin set dated 1979. The copper-nickel 1 Ngultrum features "the wheel of law" on one side and eight Buddhist symbols on the other. The aluminum-bronze plated steel 25 Chhertum depicts a pair of “golden fish”. The bronze 5 Chhertum portrays the first coin of Bhutan, the 19th century Deb Rupee. It is an attractive set from a difficult to find location.
BHUTAN 3 COIN SET, 1979 UNC. $14.00
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