Mughal Empire AH 1018/5 mohur Fr-755
This specimen was lot 54105 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $46,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Mughal Empire. Heavy Mohur, AH 1018 Year 5 (1609). Agra Mint. Jahangir. PCGS MS-63. A RARE example from the heavier weight second emission--and one that is made all the more so on account of the stunning level of preservation offered here--this enchanting specimen provides an engaging, well centered strike upon each side, tantalizing brilliance emanating from the protected areas, and a highly appealing golden-yellow hue evident throughout. Undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity for the connoisseur and advanced collector within the series." The gold mohur had traditionally weighed about 10.8-10.9 grams; we don't know what impelled Jahangir to issue this type with a weight about 25% over the standard. He may have intended it as a prestige coin; few survive today, suggesting that they were rapidly removed from circulation and melted. It is known dated years 3, 4 and 5.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.55-13.70 g, gold, this specimen 13.61 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-755; KM-185.1.
- Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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