Mughals: Shah Alam II (AH1174-1221, 1759-1806 AD) (Issued by local governor Mirza Najaf Khan), Rupee, Kora mint, RY 11, KM#651

Mass=11.2 g
Note: Sword on obverse

Obverse


Reverse

Awadh: Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar as Nawab (AH1230-1234/1814-1819 AD), Rupee in the name of Shah Alam II, Mint Muhammadabad Banaras, AH1232/Frozen RY26, KM#1

Mass=11.1 g
Mint Mark=Flag and Star

Obverse


Reverse

Tibet: Ga-Den Tangka, Type F, ND (ca. 1912-22), Y#F13.4

Info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_tangka

Mass=4.1 g

Obverse: Center: Stylized Lotus; Around: brka-shis rtags-brgyad (the eight auspecious symbols in eight radiating petals; see note below).


Reverse: Center: Eight-petalled wheel (flower) within a star; Around: Tibetan inscription (broken into eight oval frames; starting from top, moving clockwise) dga'-ldan pho-bran-phyod-las-rnam-rgyal (The Palace of Ga-den is victorious in all directions) (Note: The Ga-Den Palace was the former residence of the Dalai Lamas, located in Drepung Monastery near Lhasa.)


The eight auspecious symbols
The eight symbols depicted on the coin are:

1. White Parasol/Umbrella of sovereignty
2. Two golden fish of good fortune
3. Treasure vase/Amphora of ambrosia
4. Lotus
5. Right-spiraling White conch shell
6. Endless knot/Emblem of endless birth
7. Banner of victory
8. Golden Wheel/Wheel of Dharma

For details of their significance, see The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist symbols By Robert Beer

Tibet: Sho-gang, BE 15-58 (1924 AD), Mekyl mint, Y#21.1

Mass=5.3 g

Obverse Lion standing, looking backwards, enclosed in a 11-mm diameter circle surrounded by eight connecting fleurets containing Tibetan legend dga'-ldan-pho-bran-phyogs-las-rnam-rgyal (The Ga-den Palace, victorious in all directions). (Note: The Ga-Den Palace was the former residence of the Dalai Lamas, located in Drepung Monastery near Lhasa.) A bead is placed at the top of each of the lines joining the fleurets.



Reverse Sho-gang in center; Around: Rab-byang-15-lo-58 (Cycle 15-Year 58); Beaded border; five arabesques located at NE, SE, SW, and NW. The cycle and the year can be uses to obtain the AD date using the following formula: Number of cycles - 1 * 60 + Number of Years + 1026. Therefore, this coin would be dated 15 - 1 * 60 + 58 + 1026 = 1924 AD.

Jahangir, Rupee in the pre-ascention name Salim Shah, Ahmadabad mint, Ilahi month (03) Khurdad (Gemini), ND (RY2), "Malik-al-Mulk" couplet, KM#140.2

Emperor Jahangir, Color and gold on paper, 17th century
(Info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangir)

Description (from Catalogue of Coins in the Panjab Museum, Lahore: Vol. II by R.B. Whitehead):
"On the silver coins that issued from the Ahmadabad mint during the first nine months of Jahangir's reign, the emperor is called by his pre-ascention name Salim. The first five coins starting from the month Aban are dated '50', referring to the fiftieth year of Akbar's reign, while the other four are of regnal year 2. Salimi coppers are also known."


Emperor Jahangir receiving his two sons, Gouache on paper (c. 1605-1606 AD)

This coin has the Malik-al-Mulk (Lord of the Realm) couplet:

Malik-al-Mulk Sikka-e-Zad Bar Zar
Salim Shah Sultan, Shah Akbar

The Lord of the Realm Struck Money of Gold
Salim Shah Sultan, Shah Akbar('s son)

Mass=11.4 g

Obverse Malik-al-Mulk Sikka-e-Zad Bar Zar (The Lord of the Realm Struck Money of Gold); Zarb Ahmadabad (Struck at Ahmadabad)



Reverse Salim Shah Sultan, Shah Akbar [Salim Shah Sultan, Shah Akbar('s son)]; Ilahi month Khurdad (Zodiac sign Gemini); RY 2

Akbar, Anonymous Rupee (Rebellion issue of Prince Salim), "Bagharb-wa-Sharq" couplet, Allahabad mint, ND Variety, KM97.1

Mass=11.3 g

Description (from The Standard Guide to South Asian Coins and Paper Money Since 1556 and Mr. Lingen's comments on Zeno):
"During the last decade of Akbar's reign, his son Salim [later Emperor Jahangir] grew increasingly restive in his desire to assume supreme power. He rebelled outright several times, and, as governor of Allahbad Province, refused to recognize Akbar's suzereignty. The silver coins of Allahabad of this period were issued anonymously without following the imperial style, but with a Persian poetic couplet [and sometimes the Ilahi month and date. Ilahi years 44 to 49 are known, as well as a not dated variety (this one)]."

This coin has the Bagharb-wa-Sharq (In the West and the East) couplet:

Hamesha Hamchu Z're Mihir Wa Mah Raij Bad
Bagharb-wa-Sharq Jahan Sikka Allahabad

Like the Gold of Sun* and the Moon, May Always be Current,
In the West and the East of the World, the Coin of Allahabad

*I think "Gold" here applies only to "Mihir" (Sun) and not "Mah" (moon). Due to similarity of colour, gold is often equated with the sun and moon with silver in poetic couplets. Or maybe "Z're" in this couplet was intended to have a more generic meaning (e.g., money).


Obverse Hamesha Hamchu Z're Mihir Wa Mah Raij Bad (Like the Gold of Sun and the Moon, May Always be Current)



Reverse Bagharb-wa-Sharq Jahan Sikka Allahabad (In the West and the East of the World, the Coin of Allahabad)




Prince Salim

From The Oxford History of India by Vincent A. Smith:

"Prince Salim continued in open rebellion, holding court as a king in Allahabad. In August 1602 he inflicted a terrible blow upon his father's feelings by hiring a robber chief named Bir Singh Bundela to murder Akbar's trusted friend and counsellor Abu-l Fazl, whom the prince hated and feared. A temporary and insincere reconciliation between father and son was patched up by Salima Begam in 1603. But no real peace was possible until after the death of Prince Daniyal, which occurred in April 1604, when he died from effects of drink, like his brother Murad. Salim being then the only son left, Akbar became really anxious to arrange terms with him. The one other possible successor was Salim's son, Prince Khusru, a popular and amiable youth, whose claims were favoured by Raja Man Singh and Aziz Koka.

In November 1604 Salim was persuaded to come to court, probably under threats that, if he refused, Khusru would be declared heir apparent. His father recieved him with seeming cordiality. He then drew him suddenly into an inner apartment, slapped him soundly in the face, and confined him in a bathroom under the charge of a physician and two servants, as if he were a lunatic requiring medical treatment. After a short time, the length of which is variously stated, Akbar released his son, restored him to favour, made him viceroy of the province to which Danuyal had been appointed, and allowed him to reside at Agra as the acknowleded heir apparent

The prince was cowed by his father's rough handling and gave no further trouble."

Also of interest:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarkali

India, Mughal Dynasty: Jahandar Shah (AH1124), Rupee, Mint Dal Al Khilafat Shahjahanabad, Abu Al-Fateh Couplet; KM#363.21

Jahandar Shah (AH1124) (Jahandar="World-owner")
Accession: 10 April 1712
Deposition: 3 Jan 1713

Info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahandar_Shah

Obverse Abu'l Fateh Couplet:

"Dar Aafak Zad Sikka Chun Mihr Wa Mah
Abu Al-Fateh Ghazi Jahandar Shah"

Stuck Coin in the horizons like sun and moon
Father of Victory, Fighter against Infidels, Jahandar Shah




Reverse Zarb Dar Al Khilafat Shahjahanabad Mubarak Sanah Ahd (Stuck at Seat of Caliphate Shahjahanabad [in the] Auspecious Year 1 [of his reign])


(Ref. KM#363.21)

Delhi Sultanate, Suris: Rupee of Islam Shah (AH952-960,1545-1552 AD), "1477"-type

Here is a "1477"-type Rupee (Goron/Goenka D980) in the name of Islam Shah Suri, named so because it has a mysterious number 1477 along with a symbol resembling the Star of David in the top margin of the obverse. The significance of this number is not known for sure. One theory is that "1477" refers to the accession year of the Cooch Bihar king Nara Narayana (Sake 1477 or 1555 AD). The coinage of Cooch Behar by Nicholas Rhodes and S.K.Bose has the following note on these coins:

"It is interesting to note that certain rupees of Islam Shah, with no mint name, but clearly struck in Bengal, perhaps at Tanda, have a 'pseudo date', 1477, in Arabic numerals above the reverse. These pieces are dated 952-60 AH (1545-1552 AD), whereas 1477 saka = 1555 AD, or three years after the end of Islam Shah's reign. These pieces may either be posthumous issues with pseudo AH date, struck by Nara Narayan, with his accession year indicate, or it is possible that '1477' has some meaning other then AH date."

Obverse Inside square: Islam Shah Ibn Sher Shah Sultan Khallad Allah Mulkahu (Islam Shah, Son of Sher Shah Sultan, May God Perpetuate His Kingdom). In Nagari (blundered): "Sri Islam Shah(i)". Margins: "1477" and "Star of David" (Top), Jalal Al Dunya (Glory of (the) World) (Left), Wa Deen Abu Al Muzaffar (and Faith, Father of the Conqueror, i.e., the supreme conqueror) (Bottom), Al Sultan Ibn Al Sultan (The Sultan, Son of the Sultan) (Right).



Reverse Inside square: Kalima La Ilaha Illalah Muhammad Rasool Allah, [There is]No God Except Allah, Muhammad [is the] Prophet [of] Allah. Note the use of Shadda (Tashdids) over the word "Allah" on this coin. Margins: Names of the four Caliphs---Osman Al-Affan (Top), Omar Al-Farooq (Left), Abu Bakris Siddiq (Bottom), Ali Al-Murtaza (Right).

Delhi Sultanate, Tughluqs: Ghiyas al-Din Tughluq (720-725AH,1320-1325AD), 2 Gani

Obverse Al-Sultan Al-Ghazi Ghiyas Al-Dunya Wa Al-Deen (The sultan, the one who fights against infidels, aid of [the] world and of faith)



Reverse In centre: Tughlak Shah (in Arabic). In margin "Sri Sultan Gayasuddin" (in Nagari)


(Ref. R1080, Goron D312, Tye 438)

Delhi Sultanate, Tughluqs: Ghiyas al-Din Tughluq (720-725AH,1320-1325AD), 4 Gani

Khusru Khan, who ascended the throne after murdering Qutb al-Din Mubarak, only reigned for a few months. He was defeated and beheaded by Ghazi Malik, a Qaraunah Turk noble, Governor of Debalpur in Panjab. Everything was in utter confusion and no male scion of the royal stock had been left in existence.

The nobles elected Ghazi Malik to fill the vacant throne. He ascended the throne on September 8, 1320 under the title Ghiyas al-Din Tughluq Shah. He was a man of humble origin. His father, a Turk, had been a slave of Sultan Balban; his mother, a Jat woman, was Indian. He began his career as an ordinary trooper and rose to a position of importance through his ability and hard labour. As the Governor of Debalpur, he is said to have repelled Mongol attacks on twenty-nine occasions (which earned him the title Malik Al-Ghazi). His conduct justified the faith put in him by the nobles who elected him. He restored a reasonable amount of order to the internal administration and took measures to guard against the ever present danger of a Mongol invasion.

He sent his son Juna Khan into Deccan, where the countries conquered by 'Ala Al-Din had refused obedience. The prince reached Warangal and laid siege to the fort. The strong walls resisted his efforts, pestilence broke out, his men deserted, and he was forced to return to Delhi. But a second expedition was more successful, resulting in the capture of both Bidar and Warangal. The sultan, meanwhile, having been invited to intervene in a disputed succession, had marched across Bengal and on his way home had annexed Tirhut (Mithila).

While in Bengal, the sultan received disquieting news of prince Juna's behaviour in Delhi. It was said that the prince was increasing the number of his followers in order to have a sizable party of his own. He had also become a desciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, who was in bad terms with his father and was reported to have prophesized that the prince would soon replace his father as sultan. These reports enraged the sultan and he headed back to Delhi. Juna Khan erected a wooden pavilion at Afghanpur, a village six miles to the south-east of Delhi to accord reception to his father. It is said that "the building was so designed as to fall when touched in a certain part by the elephants...". The prince entertained his father under the pavilion, and, when the meal was over, requested his father to let him have a view of the elephants he had brought from Bengal. The elephants were brought and paraded. As soon as they came in contact with a certain part of the building, the whole structure collapsed and Ghiyas al-Din, along with his favourite son, prince Mahmud Khan, was crushed. Juna khan made a pretence of sending for picks and shovels to dig out his father and brother, but purposely hindered action being taken until it was too late. The sultan was found bending over the young prince's body, and if he still breathed, as some people assert that he did, was finished off (AD 1325). After nightfall, his body was removed and interred in the massive sepulchre which he had prepared for himself in Tughluqabad, the mighty fortress he had built near Delhi.

Obverse Al-Sultan Al-Ghazi Ghiyas Al-Dunya Wa Al-Deen (The sultan, the one who fights against infidels, aid of [the] world and of faith)



Reverse Abu Al-Muzaffar Tughlak Shah Al-Sultan (Father of the conqueror [Supreme conqueror], Tughlak Shah, the Sultan), 724


(Ref. R1079, Goron D311, Tye 437)

The 1939-1945 Star

The 1939/45 Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. The medal was awarded for operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.

-Army personnel had to complete 6 months service in an operational command. Airborne troops qualified if they had participated in any airborne operations and had completed 2 months service in a fully operational unit.

-Air Force personnel had to participate in operations against the enemy providing that 2 months service had been completed in an operational unit. Non-aircrew personnel had to complete 6 months service in an area of operational army command.

-Naval personnel qualified if they completed 6 months service, and at least 1 voyage was made through an operational area.

-Royal Observer Corps personnel were awarded the Star for a service of 1080 days.

The star was immediately awarded if the service period was terminated by death, disability or wounding. The award of a gallantry medal or a Mention in Despatches also led to an immediate award.

The Star is made of yellow copper zinc alloy.

Obverse Central design of the Royal Cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The 1939-45 Star'.


Reverse Plain (recipient's name was impressed only for Australian and South African issues)

The Defence Medal 1939-1945

The 1939-45 Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. It was instituted to recognise both military and some types of civilian service.

The qualifying time required depending on the area served is:

-UK: 1080 days
-Overseas non-operational: 360 days
-Overseas non-operational in an area deemed to be closely threatened or subject to air attack: 180 days

The British issue medals (the one shown here) were made of cupro-nickel.


Obverse: Uncrowned head of King George VI facing left. Inscription GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR. OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP (George VI by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); designer's initials 'HP' (for T. Hugh Paget) below the neck.


Reverse: Royal Crown resting top of an oak tree (designer's monogram, 'HWP', for Wilson Parker, below), flanked by a lion and a lioness. 'THE DEFENCE MEDAL' below and '1939' and '1945' at the top left and right, respectively.

The War Medal 1939-1945

The War Medal 1939-1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea.

The British issue medals (the one shown here) were made of cupro-nickel.

Obverse: Crowned head of King George VI facing left. Inscription GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP (George VI by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India). Initials of the designer'PM'(Percy Metcalfe) under the neck


Reverse: British lion standing on the body of a double-headed dragon (its two heads, those of an eagle and a dragon, signify the principal occidental and oriental enemies). At the top, just right of centre are the dates 1939/1945 in two lines. Initials 'E CRP' are those of the designer E. Carter Preston.

Delhi Sultanate, Khiljis: Billon 6 Gani of Nasir Al-Din Khusru (April 15, 1320 to September 5, 1320; AH 720) (Ref. R1055, D295, Rare)

Khusru had realised that it would not be possible for him to capture the throne without an army of his own. He asked Sultan Mubarak for permission to raise an army of 40,000 horsemen, consisting mostly of the Bharvars (Shepherd caste) of Gujarat, a tribe to which Khusru himself belonged. Unaware of his motives, the Sultan agreed. Next, Khusru requested that his relations and friends should be allowed to enter the palace if they had any urgent work with him. This request, too, was granted. Khusru now had his assasination plan ready. Sultan Mubarak was warned of Khusrus's intentions by his former tutor, but paid no heed to the warning.

On the night of April 14, 1320 AD, Khusru's troops entered the palace and murdered the royal guards. The noise reached the upper quarters and the Sultan enquired Khusru about it. Khusru replied that the men were trying to catch some horses that had broken loose. As he spoke these words, his men reached Mubarak's room. The sultan tried to run away but Khusru siezed him by the hair and Jaharia, one of Khusru's followers, stabbed him to death. His head was severed and thrown down into the courtyard.

Immediately after the murder, Khusru summoned the chief nobles of the court and, with their consent, ascended the throne under the title of Nasir Al-Din Khusru Shah on April 15, 1320. He proceeded to win over most nobles and officers by a lavish distribution of honors and awards. However, his rule did not last long. Ghazi Malik, the warden of the Marches, instigated the lower officers against the new king and formented a rebellion. As Ghazi Malik approached Delhi, Khusru came out to meet the rebels near Indraprastha. Despite his supporter Ain Al-Mulk withdrawing with his troops to Malwa, Khusru fought boldly on September 5, 1320, but was defeated and killed on the same day.

Obverse Al Sultan Al Azim Nasir Al-Dunya Wa Al-Deen (The Sultan, the greatest one, Defender of the World and of Faith)



Reverse Abu Al Muzaffar Khusrow Shah 720 (Father of the Conqueror [i.e., the supreme conqueror] Khusrow Shah, 720 AH [1320 AD])

Khiljis: Qutb-al-Din Mubarak (716-720 AH,1316-1320AD), 8 Gani

‘Ala’ al-Din Muhammad suffered from many troubles in his later years and success no longer attended him. His naturally violent temper became uncontrollable and he allowed his infatuation for Malik Kafur to influence all his actions. His health failed, dropsy developed, and he died in January 1316. According to some, the infamous Malik Kafur helped his disease to a fatal termination.

Malik Kafur placed an infant son of ‘Ala’ al-Din (Shihab al-Din ‘Umar) on the throne, reserving all power for himself. He imprisoned, blinded, or killed most other members of the royal family. His criminal rule, however, lasted only thirty-five days and he and his companions were beheaded by their slave guards.

Mubarak Khan, a son of ‘Ala’ al-Din who had escaped destruction, was placed on the throne as Qutb-al-Din Mubarak. The young sultan turned out to be wholly evil. He was infatuated with a youth named Hasan, whom he ennobled under the style of Khusru Khan. "During his reign of four years and four months, the sultan attended to nothing but drinking, listening to music, debauchery, and pleasure...". By good luck the Mongols did not attack. Had they done so, they would have encounterd little resistance. Qutb-al-Din Mubarak attained two military successes. His officers tightened the hold of his government on Gujarat and he personally led an army against Harpal Deo, the king of Deogiri who had revolted. The king offered little resistance and was barbarously flayed alive. After his triumphant return, the sultan became even worse.

"He gave way to wrath and obscenity, to severity, revenge, and heartlessness. He dipped his hands in innocent blood, and he allowed his tongue to utter disgusting and abusive words to his companions and attendants.... He cast aside all regard for decency and presented himself decked out in the trinkets and apparel of a female before his assembled company..."

Ultimately, Mubarak was murdered by his minion Khusru Khan "and the basis of the dynasty of ‘Ala’ al-Din was utterly razed".

Obverse: In centre: Qutb Al-Dunya Wa Al-Deen (Axis/Pole of world and of faith). In Margins: Abu Al-Muzaffar Khalifat Allah (Father of [the] conqueror [i.e., the supreme conqueror], Deputy of God)



Reverse: Mubarak Shah Al-Sultan Ibn Al-Sultan (Mubarak Shah, the Sultan, son of the Sultan), 718


(Ref. R 1023, Goron D271, T 422.1)

Breakup of the inscription
Obverse
Centre: Kaf+Toe+Be=Kutb
Alif+Lam=Al
Da+Nun+Ye (medial form)=Dunya
Waw=Wa
Alif+Lam=Al
Da+Ye+Nun=Deen
Margins: Alif+Be+Waw=Abu
Alif+Lam=Al
Mim+Zoe+Fe+Re=Muzaffar
Khe+Lam+Fe+He (?)=Khalifah
Alif+Lam+Lam+He=Allah

Reverse
Mim+Be+Alif+Re+Kaf=Mubarak
Shin (initial form)+Alif+He (detached form)=Shah
Alif+Lam=Al
Sin (medial) (invisible on these coins!)+Lam+Toe+Alif+Nun (detached form)=Sultan
Alif+Be+Nun=Ibn
Alif+Lam=Al
Sin (medial) (invisible on these coins!)+Lam+Toe+Alif+Nun (detached form)=Sultan