Kutch VS 2004 mohur
The first specimen was lot 10499 in Ponterio sale 169 (Baltimore, November 2012), where it sold for $2,291. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Kutch. 5 Kori, VS 2004 (1947). Commemorative of Indian Independence. Attractive light toning with underlying luster. PCGS MS-66 Secure Holder. From the Demarete Collection." This specimen was lot 24511 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $5,581.25. The catalog description[2] noted, "Kutch. Madanasinghji gold 5 Kori VS2004 (1947), MS66 NGC, fully brilliant with pristine surfaces, a marvelous example of this off-strike in gold of the silver 5 Kori." The Indian Princely State of Kutch is located in a flat expanse of salt marshlands on the western border of India along the Arabian Sea. Partly due to its geographic isolation, Kutch was able to maintain a unique coinage system from its beginnings through to independence from the British in 1947. The first Kutch coins were modelled after those of Nawanagar, from which Kutch officially gained its autonomy in 1617 AD. This was also the year that Kutch obtained the rights to produce coinage in the name of her own rulers.
This specimen was lot 1444 in Sincona sale 38 (Zürich, May 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Madansinghji, VS 2004-2005 (1947-1948) Mohur VS 2004 (1947). Auf seine Krönung. Die auf der Vorderseite dargestellte Festung von Kutch und Jai-Hind erinnert an die indische Unabhängigkeit. Selten. FDC. (Kutch, Madansinghji, VS 2004-2005 (1947-1948), gold mohur of 1947, on his coronation. Rare, uncirculated. The fortress of Kutch, shown on the obverse, also honored the independence of India.)"
Shown is a gold five kori/one mohur from the rule of Madanasinghji (1947-1948 AD). This was the last ruler of Kutch, before the princely state was absorbed into the Republic of India. The example shown is dated 1947 AD/VS 2004, and honors the beginning of independence.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 13.87 g, .937 fine silver; this specimen 18.73 g.
Catalog reference: KM Y-85 (silver), Fr-1282, KM-M8 (gold).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 38, Gold Coins and Medals, Zurich: Sincona AG, 2017.
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