Madras AH 1172/6 2 rupees

from Steve Album sale 27, lot 2399

CNG Triton XXVIII, part of lot 923

The first specimen was lot 43312 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. Madras Presidency. 2 Rupees, AH 1172 Year 6 (1758-59). PCGS Genuine--Tooled, VF Details Gold Shield. Struck posthumously in the name of Alamgir II in 1807 over a Spanish Colonial 8 Reales of indeterminate date and mint. A deeply toned example with spots of corrosion and several moderate scratches blended into the fields. About as affordable an example of this VERY SCARCE denomination as one is bound to find." The second specimen was part of lot 923 in CNG Triton XXVIII (New York, January 2025), which sold for $39,812.50. The catalog description^[2] noted,

"INDIA, Colonial. British India. Madras Presidency. AR Milled Rupee specimen denomination set. Mughal type. In the name of 'Alamgir II (AH 1167-1173 / AD 1754-1759). Madras mint. Dually dated AH 1172 and RY 6 (Struck 1807). All coins: Persian couplet citing Alamgir II; AH date above / Mint and RY date formula; lotus symbol. Edge: /////. Includes the following:

1) AR Double Rupee. In NGC encapsulation 6898664-001, graded MS 64. Overstruck on a Spanish Colonial 8 Reales. Top Pop.

2) AR Rupee (26 mm diameter, 12.08 g, 11h). CEEIC 3.344; Pridmore 247; KM 403. In NGC encapsulation 6898664-002, graded MS 65. Top Pop.

3) AR Half Rupee (22 mm diameter, 5.99 g, 11h). CEEIC 3.348; Pridmore 248; KM 401. In NGC encapsulation 6898664-003, graded MS 64. Top Pop.

4) AR Quarter Rupee (17 mm diameter, 3.03 g, 12h). CEEIC 3.350; Pridmore 249; KM 400. In NGC encapsulation 6898664-004, graded MS 65. Top Pop.

5) AR Eighth Rupee (16 mm diameter, 1.47 g, 12h). CEEIC 3.351; Pridmore 250; KM 408. In NGC encapsulation 6898664-005, graded MS 64. Top Pop. All NGC graded and Top Pop. Click here for a video presentation on this collection.

From the Alexander Christopher Collection. Ex Fred Pridmore Collection (Part II, Glendining, 18 October 1982), lot 410."

This issue is not listed in the 18th century SCWC but in the 19th century SCWC. Altho dated in the eighteenth century, it was almost certainly made in the nineteenth century by the English on behalf of the (long dead) Mughal emperor. It was struck with frozen dates. Two dates are noted, KM 404.1 (AH 1172/2) and KM 404.2 (AH 1172/6). The English also made eighth rupees (KM 408), quarter rupees (KM 400, 409, 413, 425, 434), half rupees (KM 401, 402, 414, 426, 435) and rupees (KM 403, 410, 415.2, 415.1, 427, 436), all much more common than this double rupee. Some were probably milled.

Recorded mintage: 165,000.

Specification: 24.19 g, silver, 39.5 mm diameter, the second specimen 40 mm diameter, 24.04 g, 12 h axis.

Catalog reference: CEEIC 3.338; KM-404.2; Prid-245.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Stevens, Paul, The Coins of the English East India Company, Presidency Series: A Catalogue and Pricelist. London, Spink & Son Ltd, 2017.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.

Link to:

• Madras (1761) 1/4 rupee
• Madras AH 1172(6) 1/8 rupee KM-408
• Madras AH 1172(6) 1/4 rupee KM-400
• Madras AH 1172(6) 1/4 rupee KM-409
• Madras AH 1172(6) 1/2 rupee KM-401
• Madras AH 1172(6) 1/2 rupee KM-414
• Madras AH 1172(6) rupee KM-403
• Madras AH 1172(6) mohur Fr-1584
• Madras AH 1174(7) rupee KM-390
• Madras (1807) 1/4 pagoda
• Coins and currency dated 1758
• return to coins of India, Madras Presidency