© Joseph Kunnappally
© Joseph Kunnappally
½ Pice - Shah Alam II ND
1809 year| Copper | 3.11 g | 17.5 mm |
| Issuer | Bengal Presidency (British India) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1809 |
| Value | ½ Paisa (1⁄128) |
| Currency | Rupee (1765-1835) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 3.11 g |
| Diameter | 17.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#89616 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
The value in two languages,
Persian: Ad pai sikka
Devnagari: Aadha pai sikka
Translation: Half pie coin
Edge
Plain
Comment
- A copper coinage struck at the Calcutta mint for Benares province. Only the double pice was struck in 1807-1808. All three, double pice, 1 pice and 1/2 pice was struck in the years 1808-10. All three were put into circulation by 1809- All the proofs so far examined are strikings from rusty dies. They appear to have been struck during the period 1820 - 1840. The most common coin of the currency issue is the half pice value
- For an example of circulation/business strike, click image below
Interesting fact
The ½ Pice coin from Bengal Presidency (British India) made of Copper and weighing 3.11g is interesting because it was issued during the reign of Shah Alam II in 1809, but it does not bear his name or any other indication of his reign. Instead, it features a simple design with a crowned shield and a value of "1/2" pice. This suggests that the coin was intended to be used as a low-denomination coin for everyday transactions, and its simplicity and lack of ornamentation reflect the economic and political conditions of the time.
