Assam SE 1655(20) rupee
This specimen was lot 2428 in Steve Album Auction 55 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2026), where it sold for $420. The catalog description[1] noted, "ASSAM: Shiva Simha, 1715-1744, AR rupee, SE1655 year 20, octagonal, citing queen Ambika, Assamese legend both sides, lion running right below on reverse, light tone, very rare, VF." 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. Saka Era (SE) dates are 78 years earlier than current year dates in Western countries. This type was struck SE 1655-58 and is scarce compared to later issues. Tho type bears regnal dates, a practice taken from the Mughals but which was not carried on by succeeding rulers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.7-11.6 g, silver, this specimen 11.16 g.
Catalog reference: KM-91, RB-K8.1, Botham-40.
- 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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