Spink
Auction 22110 24 Aug 2022
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Sikkim (1883-85), AE Paisas (5), different varieties, VS 1940; 1941 (2); 1942; date not visible, Sri Sri Sri Sikimapati Maharaj, rev. Sri Sri Sri Sikima Sarkara, (KM. 1; 2; 3.1), crude fine to very fine, all scarce (5).
There was no local coinage in Sikkim until the arrival of a number of Nepalese traders in the late 19íth century. The Nepalese Pradhan brothers acquired some land and also the right to mine copper. Some of this copper they wished to use for striking coins which they hoped they could use for trade with Nepal and the Darjeeling area. The coins, often poorly struck, are similar to contemporary Nepalese copper coins, except for the Sikkim legend. They were struck between 1883 and 1885. The dies bore dates but few of the coins show the date clearly. Parts of a date can be seen on a couple of the present coins. The weights of the issues vary between 4 and 6g. Some coins have the obverse legend in 3 lines, others in 4 lines. This coin issue was not a success as neither the British nor the Nepalese allowed their circulation within their respective jurisdictions.
provenance
The Nicholas Rhodes Collection, Spink, 27th September 2016, lot 457 - £400
Estimate: £200 - £300
There was no local coinage in Sikkim until the arrival of a number of Nepalese traders in the late 19íth century. The Nepalese Pradhan brothers acquired some land and also the right to mine copper. Some of this copper they wished to use for striking coins which they hoped they could use for trade with Nepal and the Darjeeling area. The coins, often poorly struck, are similar to contemporary Nepalese copper coins, except for the Sikkim legend. They were struck between 1883 and 1885. The dies bore dates but few of the coins show the date clearly. Parts of a date can be seen on a couple of the present coins. The weights of the issues vary between 4 and 6g. Some coins have the obverse legend in 3 lines, others in 4 lines. This coin issue was not a success as neither the British nor the Nepalese allowed their circulation within their respective jurisdictions.
provenance
The Nicholas Rhodes Collection, Spink, 27th September 2016, lot 457 - £400
Estimate: £200 - £300