Watch List notes:

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Ca. A.D. 1682-1749. Æ 1/4 shivarai paisa (17 mm, 1.81 g). Devanagari legend Sri/ Raja/ Saav / Devanagari legend Chhatra/pati. Cf. Maheshwari and Wiggins T7 (full paisa). This quarter denomination is very rare and missing in most collections. Brown and green patina. Fine.

Shahu was the fifth Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire created by his grandfather Shivaji. After Shahu's father Sambhaji was killed by the Mughals, the young prince and his mother Yesubhai were taken prisoner by Aurangzeb. Shahu was eventually released after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. He then oversaw the expansion of Maratha power across India over the next few decades.