Afghanistan AH 1181(11) mohur KM-655

Jean Elsen sale 158, lot 2233

This specimen was lot 2233 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €1,200 (about US$1,561 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "AFGHANISTAN, DURRANI Taimur Shah as Nizam (1772-1793), AV mohur, AH 1181, year 11, Multan. Very Fine." Wikipedia notes, "Timur Shah Durrani (Pashto: تېمور شاه دراني; Persian: تیمور شاہ درانی;) was the second ruler of the Afghan Durrani Empire, from November 1772 until his death in 1793. An ethnic Pashtun, he was the second eldest son of Ahmad Shah Durrani." The Durranis had previously lost Multan to the Sikhs. Timur Shah besieged and captured it in 1780 and it was held by the Afghans until 1818. The SCWC lists years 1-2, 6, 8-9 and 12 for this type but not year 11. It is from his first reign (1757-72) as nizam rather than his second reign as king (1772-93). Mohurs were also struck for Timur Shah at Dera and Lahore.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specifications: 10.85-11.0 g, gold, this specimen 10,98 g.

Catalog reference: KM 655.

Sources:

• Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
• 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.

Link to:

• AH 1173(14) mohur, Shahjahanabad mint
• AH 1176(16) (1762) rupee, Dera mint
• AH 1188(3) mohur, Kabul mint, Taimur Shah
• AH 1208 rupee, Ahmadshahi mint
• AH 1208 rupee, Balkh mint
• Coins and currency dated 1767