Sikh Empire VS1881 paisa KM-4

Steve Album sale 54, lot 717

This specimen was lot 717 in Steve Album Auction 54 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2026), where it sold for $390. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SIKH EMPIRE: AE paisa, Amritsar, VS1881, symbol right of the pipal leaf on reverse (Herrli's 3rd symbol from the left in his chart), wonderful example, choice XF." This type was struck VS 1880-1882. The Sikhs were crushed in AD 1849 (VS 1906) and their coinage ended. Falus was the Arabic name and paisa was the Hindu name for any low value copper coin.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 11-12 g, copper, this specimen 11.52 g.

Catalog reference: KM-4.

Source:

• 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 Hanbing Feng, Auction 54, featuring selections from the Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection of Ottoman Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

• VS 1880 paisa or falus, Multan mint
• VS 1881 rupee, Amritsar mint
• VS 1882 (1825) paisa, Amritsar mint
• VS 1882 (1825) paisa or falus, Multan mint
• VS 1882 (1825) rupee, Amritsar mint
• Coins and currency dated 1824