Heritage Auctions Europe
Auction 76 14-19 Nov 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
India - Mughal Empire - Nur-ud-din Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 / AD 1605-1628) - Zodiac Rupee Taurus (month: Ardibihisht), mint: Ahmadabad, date: AH1027/Ry13 (KM.150.5) - Very rare and therefore, despite only in VG-F condition, still very much in demand.
Beginning April 1618 (Julian calendar), Jahangir entered in his diary an innovation in coinage "Prior to this, it has been the rule that one side of gold coins my name has been engraved, and on the other side the name of the minting place, the month, and the regnal year. Around this time it occurred to me that instead of the month a figure of the constellation representing the month should be depicted. For example, for the month of Farwardin a figure of Aries could be made, and for the month of Ardibihisht the figure of Taurus, and so on for every month in which a coin was minted one side would bear a picture of the constellation in which the sun rose. This method is peculiarly my own and has never been used before." (The Jahangirnama)
Beginning April 1618 (Julian calendar), Jahangir entered in his diary an innovation in coinage "Prior to this, it has been the rule that one side of gold coins my name has been engraved, and on the other side the name of the minting place, the month, and the regnal year. Around this time it occurred to me that instead of the month a figure of the constellation representing the month should be depicted. For example, for the month of Farwardin a figure of Aries could be made, and for the month of Ardibihisht the figure of Taurus, and so on for every month in which a coin was minted one side would bear a picture of the constellation in which the sun rose. This method is peculiarly my own and has never been used before." (The Jahangirnama)