Nepal SE1833 2 tola Fr-15
The first specimen was lot 1194 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $5,818.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "NEPAL, Shah dynasty. Prithvi Vira Vikrama. SE 1803-1833 / AD 1881-1911. AV Duitole Asarphi – 2 Tola. Dated SE 1833 (AD 1911). Legend within quadrate around central ornate design; additional designs around; SE date in exergue / Legend and design in three lines within center of floral design; additional legend in petals. Edge: milled. Toned with considerable gleaming luster. In NGC encapsulation 4863673-005, graded MS 65. Very rare especially in this grade. Top Pop – the finest graded by NGC." The second specimen was lot 43245 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $3,840. The catalog description[2] noted, "NEPAL. 2 Tolas (4 Mohars), SE 1833 (1911). Prithvi Bir Bikram. PCGS MS-61. A delightful example of this larger size gold issues from Nepal. With sharp details and flashy fields, this piece should stand out in the next collection it enters." This is a rare denomination for Nepal, the single tola or mohar being the usual gold issue. This is a one year type. The existence of proofs for SE 1833 suggests that the coins were not made in Nepal. Nepal was and is an independent nation between India and Tibet but under the strong influence of the British raj. Some coins are dated using the Saka Era (SE) and others using the Bikram Samvat Era (VS).
Recorded mintage: unknown but proofs exist.
Specification: 23.32 g, gold, this specimen 29 mm diameter, 12 h axis.
Catalog reference: RGV 1125; KM 680; Friedberg 15.
- 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, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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