Assam (1818-19) 1/16 rupee
This specimen was lot 2449 in Steve Album Auction 55 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2026), where it sold for $420. The catalog description[1] noted, "ASSAM: Brajanatha Simha, 1818-1819, AR 1/16 rupee (anna), ND, XF, 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. The royal family of Assam was exiled during a rebellion in SE 1709 /AD 1787 and coins were struck for rebel leaders for a few years. The royal line was restored to the throne with the help of the British. Shown is an undated one sixteenth rupee from Brajanatha Simha. This potentate also struck 1/32, 1/8, quarter, half and full rupees.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.67-0.72 g, silver, this specimen 0.69 g.
Catalog reference: KM-261.
- 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.
Link to:
- Assam (1818-19) 1/8 rupee Brajanatha Simha
- Assam (1818-19) 1/2 rupee Brajanatha Simha
- Assam (1819-21) 1/32 rupee Chandrakanta Simha
- Assam (1819-21) 1/16 rupee Chandrakanta Simha
- Coins and currency dated 1818