© escoins (CC BY-NC-SA)
© escoins (CC BY-NC-SA)
½ Tanka - Ghiyath Shah
| Silver | 5.27 g | - |
| Issuer | Sultanate of Malwa (Indian Sultanates) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 878-906 (1473-1501) |
| Calendar | Islamic (Hijri) |
| Value | ½ Tanka |
| Currency | Tanka (1401-1562) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 5.27 g |
| Size | 18.55 × 18.2 mm |
| Thickness | 2.5 mm |
| Shape | Square (irregular, Sizes will vary) |
| Technique | Hammered (Weight varies 5-5.4g; 48 Rati) |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#132057 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 83% |
Reverse
[see description above for Obverse]
Date in AH
Script: Arabic
Edge
Plain
Comment
Presence of mint-mark and AH date on these coins can be seen in the following example:
Ghiyath Shah, also known as Ghiyas-ud-Din Shah or Ghiyasuddin, was a Sultan of the Malwa Sultanate in the fifteenth century. The son of his predecessor Mahmud Shah I, he reigned from 1469 to 1500. A military leader before his accession, he was known during his reign for his religious devotion and cultural life. During his reign, the Nimatnama-i-Nasiruddin-Shahi was written and illustrated. His court was known for having over 12,000 women, including entertainers and scholars.
The initial coinage of Ghiyath's reign was round in format but after a few years, possibly from AH 878, bulk of the coins were struck on square flans. Billon coins were no longer issued. It is from his reign that the lengthy series of mint-marks really make their appearance.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of Ghiyath Shah, who was the last ruler of the Sultanate of Malwa before it was annexed by the Mughal Empire. Despite being a small coin, it was made of silver, indicating the wealth and prosperity of the Sultanate at that time.
