Kutch VS1923 25 kori
This specimen was lot 692 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "KUTCH: Pragmalji II, 1860-1875, AV 25 kori, Bhuj, 1870//VS1923, magnificent strike and remarkably well preserved, NGC graded MS65." 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. Silver and copper coinage was varied and extensive; gold was rare. This type was struck VS 1923-1924 but both dated AD 1870.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 4.67 g, 0.999 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM Y17a, Fr-1280.
- 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]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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