Afghanistan AH 1309 shahi
The first specimen was lot 33001 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2024), where it sold for $288. The catalog description[1] noted, "AFGHANISTAN. Shahi, AH 1309 (1892). Kabul Mint. Abdur Rahman. PCGS VF-35. The only such coin graded by either PCGS or NGC, this charming minor offers an appealing brilliance, with good retained details on an issue that is often poorly struck and damaged. Given the overall charm this example displays, we expect much excitement for this piece given its elusivity within the Afghani series." The second specimen was lot 3527 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[2] noted, "AFGHANISTAN: Abdur Rahman, 1880-1901, AE shahi (5 paise), Kabul, AH1309, rare one-year type, a few minor spots of rim filing, attractive surfaces, VF, R, ex Hans Mondorf Collection." Milled coinage was introduced to Afghanistan during the reign of Abdur Rahman (1880-1901). This piece appears to be machine struck but on a low quality planchet. The shahi was originally an Iranian coin worth fifty dinars.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper or brass, the second specimen 23.05 g.
Catalog reference: KM-803.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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