© Joseph Kunnappally
© Joseph Kunnappally
1 Pice - Shah Alam II ND
| Copper | 10.06 g | 19 mm |
| Issuer | Bengal Presidency (British India) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1776-1806 |
| Value | 1 Paisa (1⁄64) |
| Currency | Rupee (1765-1835) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 10.06 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#80514 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Trisul (trident), RY 28 date to the right
Legend in Persian: Zarb Muhammadabad Banaras (RY) 28
(The word Muhammabad was dropped on the coins with the Trisul)
Lettering: ٢٨
Translation: Struck at Muhammadabad Banaras in the (RY) 28th year.
Edge
Plain
Comment
- A copper pice was established in 1776 which weighed 155.333 grains (10.06 grams) and passed current at 50/51 to the rupee. The Banaras mint was under the control of Raja Chait Singh.In 1780 upon the influx of the Allahabad pice of a lower weight, the Raja ordered the Banaras pice to be a weight and size of the Allahabad pice, 138.49 grains (8.97 grams). This weight continued when the mint passed under the control of the East India Company in 1781.
In 1786 the weight of the pice was restored to the original standard of 155.333 grains (10.06 grams). This action was ordered by the British resident and in 1787 after a sufficient quantity had been minted, it was declared the only copper coinage of the city.
In general the design corresponds to that of the Banaras rupee, but after 1786 they have the additional mark of a trident (trisul).
- Previous KM #825
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1 Pice coin from Bengal Presidency (British India) made of Copper weighing 10.06g is that it was used as a medium of exchange in the Indian subcontinent during the 18th and 19th centuries, and it was also used as a token currency in the Straits Settlements, which is now Malaysia and Singapore.
