Assam (1793-95) 1/2 rupee
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 Assamese script 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 Sarvvananda Simha, a rebel king who ruled the eastern portion of the Ahom kingdom at the same time as Guarinatha Simha. Sarvvananda, though not of the Ahom royal line, took to striking coins identical to those of the Ahom kings. The coin is undated but struck during the years SE 1715-1717 (1793-1795 AD). The second specimen was lot 2447 in Steve Album Auction 55 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2026), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "ASSAM: Sarvvananda Simha, Matak rebel, 1793-1795, AR 1/2 rupee, ND, Krishna Pada series; light blue toning, XF, RR."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.6 g, silver; the second specimen is 5.81 g.
Catalog reference: KM 306, Rhodes and Bose X10.2. the second specimen is KM-304.
- 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 Hanbing Feng, Auction 55, featuring Selections from the Swamperbob Gurney Collection of Cap & Ray 8 Reales, the Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection of Ottoman Coins and the 1914 Collection of World Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2026.
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