¼ Rupee - Shah Alam II ND

Reverse

Legend in Persian (mostly off flan): Zarb Surat sanat 46 julus maimanat manus. Incuse date (AD) 1825 RY 4[6]

Lettering:
[18]25
ممنت مانوس
سنة ۴٦ جاوس
ضرب سورت

Translation: Struck at Surat in the 46th year of his tranquil prosperous reign

Edge

Plain

Comment

- Weight varies 2.89-2.94
- Diameter varies 11.8 - 13.4 mm
-Bombay mint (even though mint name on coins says Surat)
- In this issue the dies were larger than the coin flans with the result that only part of the obverse and reverse legends are found on any coin
- The Surat mint was closed in 1815 but its name was retained at Bombay which had differentiated its product with small privy marks. The privy marks were continued after the closure of the Surat mint and in 1825 the new feature of the AD date incuse on a plaque was introduced. The reason for this was to mark a change in the silver level of the coins. It was discovered in October 1824 that the silver trial plates at Bombay were incorrect as a result of which all silver coins struck there since 1800 contained a tiny fraction too much silver. From 1825 this was remedied. The date 1825 became another frozen date appearing on all silver coins until 1831. The privy mark on this coin was used from 1825 until 1831.

Privy mark #8(see image)

Interesting fact