Assam (1819-21) 1/16 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 sixteenth 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).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.69g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM#245, Rhodes and Bose U14.1.
- 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.
Link to:
- (SE 1702-1718) 1/8 rupee
- SE 1739 rupee
- Assam (1818-19) 1/8 rupee Brajanatha Simha
- (SE 1733-40) 1/32 rupee
- (SE 1740-41) half rupee
- Coins and currency dated 1819
- return to coins of India, Assam