COINS & HISTORICAL MEDALS: 6-7 FEBRUARY

As the fourth Mughal Emperor, Jahangir (reigned AH 1014-1037 / 1605-28) was known as a major patron of the arts and architecture, recognising the importance of wealth and sophisticated culture as symbols of imperial power.

Coinage also played its part in this, and in AH 1020 (1611) he commissioned a commemorative medal in gold, the weight of a mohur, and struck with his own likeness, to present as gifts to important leaders.

Mohurs themselves had a symbolic as well as practical purpose, having first been introduced after AH 949 (1540) by Sher Shah Suri as a means of uniting the disparate tribes under his rule.

This auction includes a heavy mohur struck at Agra for Jahangir in 1018h (1609), the fourth year of his reign. An extremely fine and very rare example, shown here, it is estimated at £34,000-£40,000.

Also on offer will be a William IV mule restrike proof rupee, from 1840, in condition about as struck, and pitched at £15,000-£18,000.

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