© Parimal (CC BY-NC-SA)
© Parimal (CC BY-NC-SA)
1 Paisa - Sher Shah No mint - NW Type II
| Copper | 20.46 g | 23.74 mm |
| Issuer | Sur Empire (Indian Sultanates) |
|---|---|
| Sultan | Sher Shah Suri (شير شاہ سوري) (1539-1545) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 949-952 (1538-1545) |
| Calendar | Islamic (Hijri) |
| Value | 1 Paisa |
| Currency | Suri (1539-1545) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 20.46 g |
| Diameter | 23.74 mm |
| Thickness | 5.85 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#58414 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 83% |
Edge
Plain
Comment
Sher Shah Suri (1472, or 1486 – 22 May 1545), born Farīd Khān, was the founder of the Sur Empire in India, with its capital in Sasaram in modern-day Bihar. Sher Shah was of Pashtun ethnicity, with his name denoting his tribe, Sur. Sher Shah took control of the Mughal Empire in 1540 CE. After his accidental death in 1545 CE, his son Islam Shah became his successor. The influence of his innovations and reforms extended far beyond his brief reign; his arch foe, Humayun, referred to him as “Ustad-I-Badshahan”, teacher of kings. In the seven years of his reign he never lost a battle.Sher Shah introduced a sound coinage throughout his kingdom based on the silver rupee and the copper paisa. He started his coinage in modern day states of Bihar and Bengal with silver tankas and rupees. The weights of these vary - the tankas were no more than 10.8g whereas the rupees that have survived are between 11.2 and 11.5g. His other innovation was introduction of a copper paisa weighing between 20-21g.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of Sher Shah Suri, who was a powerful Indian emperor and the founder of the Sur Empire. He was known for his military campaigns and his efforts to consolidate the Indian subcontinent under a single rule. This coin, which was made of copper and weighed 20.46 grams, was likely used for everyday transactions and circulated widely throughout the empire during his reign.
