Bahawalpur AH 1359 1/2 pice
This specimen was lot 42310 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $2,160. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Bahawalpur. 1/2 Pice, AH 1359 (1940). Bahawalpur Mint. Sadiq Muhammad Khan V (under George VI as Emperor). NGC PROOF-65 Red. RARE, is perhaps an understatement to describe the paucity of proof issues from Bahawalpur from the princely period. This example, previously residing in the David Fore collection, is one of only two examples certified as proof by NGC with none from PCGS. This specimen far exceeds the other, an impaired Proof-45. A stunner that is exceptionally well-struck, with rich mint Red and no evidence of handling, implying the excellent treatment of this specimen by previous owners. Pronounced die polishing is noticed in the fields, confirming the special striking nature of the piece. Sure to be desirable, as it will likely be some time until another proof example of the type comes to market. Ex: Yashoda N. Singh Collection. Ex: David Fore Collection (Baldwin's - 9/2013) Lot # 1234." The state of Bahawalpur lies in the southwest part of Punjab, in the Thar desert. The nawab also had struck a quarter anna. While this proof is rare, the circulation issue is common. The nawab was the first princely ruler to accede to the state of Pakistan, in October 1947; his state was formally abolished in 1955 and he died in 1966.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.6 g, copper, 21.3 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-Y12.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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