Assam (1769-80) 1/8 mohur
This specimen was lot 664 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "ASSAM: Lakshmi Simha, 1769-1780, AV 1/8 mohur, ND, wonderful strike, NGC graded MS62, R." 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 eighth mohur From Lakshmi Simha with inscription in Sanskrit.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 1.34-1.42 g, gold.
Catalog reference: KM-184, Rh-Q21.1.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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]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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