Assam (1769-80) 1/2 rupee KM-178
This specimen was lot 42089 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Assam. 1/2 Rupee, ND (1769-80). Lakshmi Simha. NGC AU-58." Assam (Ahom Kingdom) began striking coins based on the rupee system in the 1600's. The design elements were borrowed from nearby Cooch Behar, but the octagonal shape was an invention of the Assamese. The Ahom script was used up through the reign of Gadadhara Simha, after which Sanskrit was used for most issues. Saka Era (SE) dates are 78 years earlier than current year dates in Western countries. Shown is a half rupee From Lakshmi Simha with inscription in Sanskrit. This is one of several varieties of half rupees (KM 177, KM 178, KM 179) struck for this ruler. It has a low catalog value.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.35-5.80 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM-178.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Rhodes, N. G., and Bose, S. K. The Coinage of Assam - Volume II Ahom Period. Kolkata, India: A.O.P Pvt. Ltd., 2004.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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