The Puddester Collection (Part I)

East India Company, Bengal Presidency, Calcutta Mint: post-1761 issues, Third gold coinage, gold Mohur in the name of ‘Shah ‘Alam II (1173-1221h/1759-1806), 1183h, yr 10 [May-August 1769], naming Murshidabad, sikka zad bar haft kishwar saya fazl ilah hami din muhammad shah alam badshah [defender of the religion of Muhammad, Shah ‘Alam emperor, shadow of the divine favour, put his stamp on the seven climes], rev. zarb murshidabad sanah 10 julus maimanat manus [struck at Murshidabad in the 10th year of his reign of tranquil prosperity], 12.34g/4h (Prid. 18 [not in Sale]; Stevens 2.11; KM. 94.1; F 1528). A few minor marks, otherwise extremely fine, an exceptionally well-struck example of the first year of this handsome coinage with full borders, rare £2,000-£2,600

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

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Baldwin/Markov/M & M Auction XXIII (New York), 6 January 2010, lot 368, label.

Owner’s ticket.

In the wake of the departure of Clive, and the withdrawal of the C-marked coinage, there was a shortage of gold specie in Calcutta which Armenian merchants suggested the authorities remedy by striking mohurs and their fractions with a higher intrinsic value than previously. Accordingly, and with the approval of London, new dies were prepared in Murshidabad and coins struck there and in Calcutta from May 1769. The coins met with universal approval and continued to be issued until the end of 1788