Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Banknotes, Medallions and Numismatic Books

India, SULTANS OF KASHMIR, Jahangir (1014-1037/1605-1625), Zodiac Mohur, Fathpur, goat to left, Capricorn (KM 180.19). Very worn but rare

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Coins.

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Janangir is one of the most interesting of the Mughal Emperors. Although by all accounts short-tempered and fond of drink and opium, he had a love of nature, a sense of humour and an appreciation of all the arts. The latter, and his worldly temperament, are reflected in his coinage. His rare portrait Mohurs-a daring break with Islamic tradition are well known, but equally famous are the Zodiac Mohurs and Rupees. Although, it is reported, many were melted down these extraordinary coins proved to be extremely popular in India and treated as talismans; as a consequence very many surviving specimens are worn. Jahangir's own account of the coins is worth quoting. Formerly it was customary to strike my name on one side of the coins, and that of the place, and the month, and the year of the reign, on the obverse. It now occured to my mind, that instead of the name of the month, the figure of the sign of the zodiac corresponding to the particular month, should be stamped. For instance, in the month of Farwardin, the fignre of a ram, in Ardibihist that of a bull, and so on... This was my own innovation: it had never been done before.