Kutch (1761-78) 1/2 kori
The Indian Princely State of Kutch is located in a flat expanse of salt marshlands on the western border of India along the Arabian Sea. To the west is the Pakistani province of Sind. Though Kutch never could support a large population nor was endowed with natural resources, it remained a power due to its navy and notoriety as a transport hub for pilgrimage to Mecca. Partly due to its geographic isolation, Kutch was able to maintain a unique coinage system from its beginnings through to independence from the British in 1947. The first Kutch coins were modelled after those of Nawanagar, from which Kutch officially gained its autonomy in 1617 AD. This was also the year that Kutch obtained the rights to produce coinage in the name of its own rulers.
Shown is a silver half kori from the rule of Gohadaji II (1761-1778 AD). It is not dated, which is an unusual case for koris from Kutch, as most have at least a frozen date.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: silver, 2.2 g.
Catalog reference: KM 21/Craig 21.
- Bright, Richard. The Coinage of Kutch. Dallas, TX: Numismatics International, 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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