Assam (1818-19) 1/8 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 an eighth rupee from the second reign of Chandrakanta Simha, who occupied the Ahom throne during a time of continuing incursion by the Moamaria rebels from the east. It is not dated, but was struck during the years SE 1741-1743 (1819-1821 AD). This specimen was lot 42092 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Assam. 1/8 Rupee, ND (1818-19). Brajanatha Simha. NGC MS-62." This potentate also struck 1/32, quarter, half and one rupees in silver and a series of mohurs.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.34-1.45 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM-262.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
Link to:
- Assam (1819-21) 1/32 rupee Chandrakanta Simha
- Assam (1819-21) 1/16 rupee Chandrakanta Simha
- Assam (SE 1740-1741) 1/2 rupee
- Coins and currency dated 1818