Awadh AH 1253(10) ashrafi Fr-1013
This specimen was lot 1051 in CNG Triton XXIX (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $5,206.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA, Princely States. Awadh. Nasir al-Din Haidar. AH 1243-1253 / AD 1827-1837. AV Ashrafi. Subah Awadh Dar al-Saltana Lakhnau (Lucknow) mint. Dually dated AH 1253 and RY 10 (Struck AD 1837). Legend citing Nasir al-Din Haidar; AH date in central field / Crowned khatar with tiger supporters; crown flanked by pennants, parasol above; mint formula and RY date in outer margin. Toned, deposits, marks. Good VF. Extremely rare." This is listed in Friedberg as a mohur. On the succeeding type struck in the name of Muhammad Ali Shah (KM 322.1), the lion supporters are replaced by human figures. Both are rare. In 1818, Ghazi ud-Din Haidar promoted himself from nawab to king with British connivance, setting aside the nominal suzerainty of the Mogul emperor. Nasir-ud-Din Haidar was king 1827-37. His death caused in a succession dispute which resulted in British intervention and overlordship. Resentment of this and other acts led to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, which was centered at Awadh's capital Lucknow.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.7-11.4 g, gold; this specimen 23 mm diameter, 10.27 g, 11 h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 240 (unlisted date); David Fore Collection (Baldwin’s 84), lot 1141 (same rev. die).
- Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXIX, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2025.
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