East India Company, Madras Presidency, Early coinages: Mughal style, gold Mohur, in the name of Aurangzeb Alamgir (1068-1118h/1658-1707), 1114h, yr 47 [1703-4], Chinapatan, sikka zad dar jahan chau muhr munir shah aurangzeb alamgir [Struck money throughout the world like the shining sun, Shah Aurangzeb Alamgir], rev. zarb chinapatan sanat 47 julus maimanat manus [Struck at Chinapatan in the 47th year of tranquil prosperity], 11.01g/12h (Prid. 109 [not in Sale]; Stevens 2.1, this coin illustrated; KM. B289; F 1580). A spectacular coin, about extremely fine and well-struck, exceptionally rare; perhaps only three specimens known [certified and graded NGC MS 62] £10,000-£15,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Puddester Collection.

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Bt in New York June 2004.

Owner’s ticket and envelope.

Literature:
Illustrated in Paul Stevens, The Coins of the English East India Company, Presidency Series: A Catalogue and Pricelist, p.372.

The inferior example illustrated by Pridmore (p.64) was the only specimen known to him; it is also reproduced by KM (p.442). Another specimen was sold privately in 2007.

Gold mohurs struck from dies supplied in April 1692 had been minted by September of that year, but their use as currency does not seem to have achieved any great popularity. Mohurs were included in the mint accounts of 1704/5, but after that no further reference is made to them for over 30 years