Kutch 1947/VS 2004 1 dhabu
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. 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 copper 1 dhabu (1/8 kori) from the rule of Madanasinghji (1947-1948 AD). This was the last ruler of Kutch, before the princely state was absorbed into the Republic of India. The example shown is dated 1947 AD / VS 2004, and honors the beginning of independence.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: Copper.
Catalog reference: KM Y83.
- Bright, Richard, The Coinage of Kutch, Dallas, TX: Numismatics International, 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to:
- VS 2002 adhio
- VS 2004 kori
- VS 2004 5 kori
- Coins and currency dated 1947
- return to coins of India, Kutch