Bombay (1694) rupee
This specimen was lot 43172 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $21,600. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Enchanting Bombay Presidency Rupee in the names of William & Mary, INDIA. Bombay Presidency. Rupee, RY 6 (1694). Bombay Mint. William III & Mary II. PCGS MS-62. A VERY RARE Bombay Presidency issue featuring Persian legends in the names of William and Mary of Great Britain. Sharp, clear legends on both sides and quite well-centered. The coin flaunts a gorgeous cabinet tone enlivened by the energetic luster found throughout the fields. Unsurpassed by any other graded example, and perhaps the loveliest example available for the date.
Shortly after its acquisition of Bombay, the British East India Company began striking coins locally in the territory. When their initial European-style silver coinage failed to achieve market acceptance, the Company switched to this type which closely imitates the form and style of the prevailing Mughal Rupees of the time, altering only the Persian inscriptions to name the British monarchs. This angered the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, at whose pleasure the Company still operated during the period. The emperor ordered the striking of these coins to stop, and the Company had no choice but to comply. They would not resume minting coins in Bombay until granted permission by the Mughals in 1717."
This rare type is listed for regnal years 5 and 6.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.7-11.6 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM-148.2; Prid-28; Stevens-1.30.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Stevens, Paul, The Coins of the English East India Company, Presidency Series: A Catalogue and Pricelist. London, Spink & Son Ltd, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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