½ Tanka - Mahmud Shah I Hadrat Shadiabad
| Billon (96 Rati series) | 5 g | - |
| Issuer | Sultanate of Malwa (Indian Sultanates) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 850-871 (1446-1467) |
| Calendar | Islamic (Hijri) |
| Value | ½ Tanka |
| Currency | Tanka (1401-1562) |
| Composition | Billon (96 Rati series) |
| Weight | 5 g |
| Size | 17.6 × 16 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Square (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered (Weight varies 5.-5.4g, as well as size) |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#51444 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
In a lozenge: Abu al-muzaffar/Mahmud Shah khalji
Script: Arabic
Edge
Plain
Comment
This coin is part of the 96 Rati series in which a Tanka is 96 rati and a half-Tanka is 48 Rati (approx. 5g}
Coinage
Billon coins issued by Mahmud Shah I consists of 3 main series:
(1) a very debased, 100 rati issue weighing 12g and issued during a limited period in the AH860s;
(2) a 96 rati and their fractions struck on square flans with the legend on one side often presented in the shape of a rhombus (like this coin), and
(3) a series of 80 rati tanka weighing 8.5-9g and its fractions, all round in shape.
The value of billon coins against the silver tanka is not known {source GG]
History
Mahmud Khalji (1436–69), also known as Mahmud Khilji and Ala-ud-Din Mahmud Shah I, was the Sultan of Malwa, in what is now the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Khilji came into power after assassinating Mohammad, the son of the previous ruler, Hoshang Shah, in 1435. He mounted an unsuccessful campaign against the Delhi Sultanate. However, it was under his reign that the Malwa Sultanate reached its greatest height.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of Billon, which is an alloy of silver and copper, and it weighs 5 grams.
