Mysore AH1198/2 2 rupees
This specimen was lot 920 in CNG Triton XXVIII (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $7,962.50. The catalog description[1] noted,
"INDIA, Independent States. Mysore. Tipu Sultan. AH 1197-1202 / AD 1787-1799. AR Haidari – Double Rupee. Patan (Seringapatan) mint. Triply dated RY 8, cyclic year 38, and AH 1198 (AD 1788). Couplet citing the religion of Ahmad being illumined by the victory of Haidar; mint formula, cyclical date and AH date below / Couplet citing titles of Tipu Sultan; RY year below. In NGC encapsulation 6929824-004, graded AU 55. Click here for a video presentation on this collection. From the Alexander Christopher Collection.
Tipu succeeded his father Haidar Ali in 1782, and in 1784 concluded a peace treaty with the British, on unusually favorable terms. Tipu had been one of the very few Indian commanders to defeat a British army in the field, but he realized he needed more time to build up his army. In the same year he declared himself Sultan, ending the pretense of supporting the figurehead Wodeyar monarch. Tipu was only buying time until he felt himself strong enough to confront the British, and in 1789 he broke the peace by invading Travancore. The Mysore armies once again proved no match for European troops, and Lord Cornwallis defeated Tipu at Seringapatam in 1792, forcing Tipu to cede half his kingdom. Hostilities commenced again in 1799, with the British bringing more troops fresh from the Egyptian campaign, and Tipu was killed at the second battle of Seringapatam May 4 1799. Despite his eventual defeat, Tipu offered the strongest native opposition to British expansion in India."
This coin shows regnal year 2, not regnal year 8. It was struck years 2 thru 6 and is very rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 21.4-23.2 g, silver, this specimen 35 mm diameter, 22.80 g, 12 h axis.
Catalog reference: Henderson 41; Moin Type 1; KM 127.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVIII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2024.
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