Sikh Empire VS1880 paisa KM-77

from Steve Album sale 45, lot 2257

This specimen was lot 2257 in Stephen Album sale 45 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SIKH EMPIRE: AE paisa, Multan, VS1880, date written as 8180 with retrograde 18 above and normal 80 below; the obverse symbol is the flower type dated VS1883, lovely VF, RR. A similar piece, with the same reverse die, sold in our Auction 43, Lot 1963." The SCWC lists this type for VS 1875 and 1878 but notes many botched or fictitious dates exist. The Sikhs were crushed in AD 1849 (VS 1906) and their coinage ended.

Recorded mintage: unknown but common.

Specifications: copper, this specimen 12.39 g.

Catalog reference: Herrli-11.08.11, KM-77 (unlisted date), SS-MT.6-var.

Sources:

• 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 45, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2022.

Link to:

• VS 1833 paisa or falus, Multan mint
• VS 1880 (1823) rupee, Amritsar mint
• VS 1880 (1823) nanakshahi rupee, Amritsar mint
• VS 1882 paisa or falus, Multan mint
• Coins and currency dated 1823