Sunday, 14 January 2024

Jaripataka Rupaya (Silver)

This silver rupee coin minted in 'Nashik' is know as ‘Jaripataka’/‘जरीपटका’ rupee due to the symbol of ‘Jaripataka’ i.e. a Saffron flag, the flag of Maratha Empire on it.

Nashik came under Maratha rule sometime in 1751-52 from Mughals. Mughals had changed the city name to Gulshanabad which Marathas reverted back to Nashik as Nashik is old Hindu pilgrimage city. However due this names changes the coin bears the mint name as ‘Gulshanabad Na’. Here Na is for Nashik.
The coin also has Devanagari letter ‘Ra’ ‘रा’ on one side but it’s meaning is not identified yet.

This coin was started by Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwe in 1774.

Obverse: Bears the name of Emperor 'Shah Alam' - 'Sikka Mubarak Shah Alam Badshah Gazi. It also has a Devanagari letter ‘Ra’ ‘रा’  along with Hijri year 1207 which is AD 1793.

Reverse: Bears reverse 'Jaripataka' and the mint name 'Gulshanabad Na'.


Metal: Silver
Weight: 11.1 gms


Saturday, 22 July 2023

Shree Sikka (Silver Rupee)

Shree sikka is probably the most easily identifiable Maratha coin as it bears the letter 'Shree' in Devnagari on it.'Shree Sikka' was struck at 'Chakan' mint. This mint was operational during 1793-1800 AD. The Maratha empire was once again at its peak after the destructive war of 1761. The letter 'Shree' was used probably to reflect the same. Chakan is a place near Pune and in present days Chakan is known as Industrial area.

The placement of words on Shree Sikka is little diffrent. The symbol of 'Zurb' is place at the left side of the word 'Julus'. This is probably because the mint name 'Mominabad' was so big that it couldn't be accompanied in its usual position. There seems to be no coins minted in the year 1796 AD.

Obverse: Bears the name of Emperor 'Shah Alam' - 'Sikka Mubarak Shah Alam Badshah Gazi.

Reverse: Reverse bears the letter 'Shree' in the word 'Julus'.

There is no coin specimen found bearing all the symbols and a complete mint name on it. The study of multiple coins revealed the above given details.

Metal: Silver

Weight: 11.22 gms

 

Sunday, 21 May 2023

Chandor/Chandvad Half Rupee (Silver)

Chandor' or 'Chandvad' is near Nashik in present day Maharashtra. The mint at Chandor is said to be started by Malhar Rao Holkar around 1763-64 AD. However the coins are found only of the period of Tukoji Holkar which was a commander of Peshwa Madhav Rao after the demise of Malhar Rao Holkar.

These coins bears the mark of 'Tura', a marathi word which is an Ornament of Turban/Pagdi.

Coins bearing the date and regnal year are very rare.

The coin shown here is of 5.5 gms and is in excellent condition. It is with the name of Shah Alam II but due to its small size the name is not completely visible on the flan.

Obverse: Letters 'shah' from 'Badshah' can be seen.

Reverse: Shows 'Tura' between the letters 'Julus' and a Flower in the word 'Julus'.

    
Metal: Silver
Weight: 5.5 gms



Saturday, 13 May 2023

British Nagfani Sikka/Hali Sikka

Coins are considered as a major source of information to understand history. Historically, coins are treated by Kings/Rulers to show their rule over a specific region. When one king defeated another, he counter struck the then existing coins by his own symbols marking the victory and new rule. The oldest evidence known to me is from the period of 'Satavahanas' BC 150 to AD 250. When Satavahana King Siri Satkarni defeated Kshatrapa king Nahapana, he counter struck Nahapana's coins by his own symbol to announce and symbolize his victory over king Nahapana.

The coin shown here is 'Hali Sikka' which tells us about not just one but three empires. This coin was minted in 'Pune' [then 'Punah']. The coin is known as 'British Nagphani rupee'.  This is a silver rupee and has weight of around 11 gms.

The empires are:

1- Mughal Empire

2- Maratha Empire 

3- British Empire

Mughals minted Silver rupees in Persian script. 

Peshwa of Maratha Empire Peshwa Madhav Rao introduced a 'Nagfani' symbol also known as 'Cobra hood' symbol about 1764 AD. During this period, Marathas a powerful force in Hindustan had already defeated Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

Later in 1818, in 3rd Anglo-Maratha war, British East India Company [EIC] forces defeated Marathas to establish their rule over complete Hindustan. They introduced the Fasli year in Devnagari script in Hali Sikka about 1820. The Fasli year 1239 in Devnagari script can be seen on the coin. This dates to 1829 AD. It is also known as a British transitional rupee as the empire was being transitioned from Maratha rule to EIC rule.

In 1835, the uniform coinage was introduced by EIC when mintage of this coin was stopped.

AD year = Fasli year + 590

Obverse: Has the name of the emperor 'Sikka Mubarak Akbar Shah Badshah Gazi'. Out of this, we can see only ' dshah Ga' on this coin.

Reverse: Has name of the mint [Zarb] Punah, Nagfani symbol in word 'Julus', Fasli year 1239 which is AD 1829.

Metal: Silver

Weight: Approx 11 gms

Sunday, 23 April 2023

Maratha Coins - Ankushi Rupaya

Here is the first addition of a beautiful Maratha coin to my collection - Ankushi Rupaya!

This Silver rupee coin bears the sign of 'Ankush' which is used to control the Elephant. It is said that these coins were first minted at 'Chinchwad' [Chinchur] near Pune. Hence these are also called as 'Chinchuri' rupaya. Later around 1772-73 Narayan Rao Peshwe started coining it at Pune and it was called as 'Ankushi'! After this, it got minted at various other places with varying degree of Fineness in silver content as well as its design.

Till the time of Narayan Rao Peshwe, Maratha forces were reborn from the huge loss of army in the 1761 battle of Panipat and recaptured the control on Mughal empire. This battle was a classic display of Sacrifice for the motherland and valour by Marathas against an invader. Hence, I think probably this 'Ankush' symbolizes the control of Marathas over the Mughal empire once again.

The picture shows the Obverse, Reverse and edge of the coin.

Obverse: Shows 'Ankush' symbol in 'Sa' of word 'Jalus'.

Reverse: Middle section shows the words 'Shah Gha' of the words 'Badshah Ghazi'. This refers to the then Mughal emperor 'Shah Alam II'. He was a puppet emperor for most of his reign in the hands of Marathas.

Edge: The bottom part of the picture shows the marks by Jewelers called as 'Shroff Marks' or 'Saraf marks' on the edge of the coin. This was used to be done to verify its genuineness and purity of silver content. 

The unique feature of this piece of coin is that shroff marks are on the edge. Most of the times these marks are found on the sides [Obverse/Reverse] of the coins.

The weight of this coin is 11.15gms.


Ankushi Rupee- Pune

Monday, 3 July 2017

USA 50 States and 6 Territories Quarters Map Album

Finally in the month of June2017, I was able to get all the quarter coins from US 50 states quarter program and 6 Territories quarters program. 56 coins a collection spanned over the period of 11 years of coin release program.There is no other way than to put the coins in a good album when we have so many coins in a collection. Only a collector would know how much happiness and a satisfaction I have got while completing this collection.

I started collecting these quarters back in 2008 i.e. when the program was almost at the end of release by US mint. I was in US for 2 months of assignment and that's when I came across these beautiful coins of USA. I liked the concept of displaying specialty of each state on a coin. However, collecting US coins being in India was a daunting task as I did not have any relative in US. However my friends Kirti-Tusahr were there who took time to collect many coins for me. However, the serious efforts were started only after I came to US on long term assignment in 2015. I started collecting these coins from collector's point of view i.e. started collecting quarters from both Denver[D] and Philadelphia [P] mints.

Now, I have all 50 states quarters from both mints and all territories quarters of D mint. I am happy to display it below. It has all quarters from D mint.




Thanks to all my friends who helped me in this.

Sources for collection in US:
  1. The most important source is 'Bank Rolls'. You can get coin rolls of all denominations in any US bank. If you have a checking account in any bank, they are always happy to offer you any sort of coin rolls to you.
  2. Coin vending machines in different grocery stores like Walmart/ Pick-n-save.
  3. Off course, change in your pocket.

USA - D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters 2009


In 2009, the United States Mint minted and issued six quarter-dollar coins in honor of the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

This program immediately followed the 50 State Quarters® Program, which ended in 2008.




Coin Specifications:

  • Standard Weight = 5.670g
  • Standard Diameter = 0.955 in (24.26mm)
  • Thickness = 1.75 mm
  • Edge = Reeded
  • Composition = Cupro-Nickel Clad (8.33% Nickel, Balance Cu)
 Click here to know more about D.C. and US Territories Quarters program.

District of Columbia

 



The District of Columbia quarter is the first of 2009 and the first in the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. The District of Columbia, created in 1790, became the Nation’s capital on December 1, 1800. The 10-square-mile site, originally part of Maryland and Virginia, was chosen personally by President George Washington to fulfill the need for a new Federal district that would not be part of any state.
The District of Columbia quarter reverse features native son Duke Ellington, the internationally renowned composer and musician, seated at a grand piano.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born into a middle-class family in Washington, D.C., in 1899, and started piano lessons at the age of seven. He lived in Washington until 1923, when he moved to New York City. He began performing professionally at the age of 17, and once he arrived in New York, started playing in Broadway nightclubs and eventually led his own band. Ellington made hundreds of recordings—some with John Coltrane, Billy Strayhorn, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald—making him famous worldwide. Throughout his 50-year career, he returned often to Washington to perform, frequently staying at the Whitelaw Hotel located in his boyhood neighborhood in Washington. Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and honors, including multiple Grammy® awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 in honor of his ability to carry the message of freedom to all the Nations of the world through his gift of music and understanding. 

Click here to know more about Duke Ellington.

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Puerto Rico


The Puerto Rico quarter is the second in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. Explorer Christopher Columbus arrived at Puerto Rico (“rich port”) in 1493, and it soon became a Spanish colony and important military outpost. Over the years, numerous unsuccessful attempts were made by the French, Dutch and English to conquer the island, but it remained an overseas province of Spain until the Spanish-American War. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, it was ceded to the United States, and its residents became American citizens in 1917. On July 3, 1950, Congress passed a law authorizing Puerto Rico to draft its own constitution, and it officially became a United States commonwealth on July 25, 1952.

The reverse of the coin depicts one of the most characteristic elements of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is its massive belt of walls of stone, built by the Spaniards in the early 16th century to protect the capital city from attacks from the sea. Of particular interest on these walls, which symbolize Puerto Rican strength and fortitude, are the sentry boxes, placed at strategic points along the walls. The sentry box and the walls of San Juan represent Puerto Rico’s rich history, geographical location and defensive role. The Puerto Rico quarter features a historic sentry box and a hibiscus flower.

Click here to know more about Puerto Rico.

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Guam

 
The Guam quarter is the third in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. Initial Western contact with Guam occurred when explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the southernmost Mariana Islands in 1521. From 1668 to 1815, it served as a way station for Spanish Acapulco-to-Manila ships. Spanish rule of Guam came to an end when American forces secured the island during the Spanish-American War. During World War II, the Japanese seized Guam and occupied it for more than two years, with American forces recapturing it in 1944. Under the Organic Act of 1950, the people of Guam became American citizens and established a local government.

The Guam quarter reverse design depicts the outline of the island, a flying proa (a seagoing craft built by the Chamorro people), and a latte stone (an architectural element used as the base of homes). The proa represents the endurance, fortitude and discovery of the Chamorro people. The vessel, made by expert carvers and sailed by master navigators, is admired as a technical marvel. The latte speaks to a historic icon that hails from the Micronesian area. Chamorro is one of the official languages of Guam, and its usage is enjoying a renaissance there and on the Mariana Islands.

Click here to know moew about Guam.
Click here to know more about 'Chamorro' language.

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American Samoa

  
The American Samoa quarter is the fourth in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. American Samoa—known as the heart of Polynesia—is a group of five islands and two coral atolls in the South Pacific, approximately 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii and 2,700 miles northeast of Australia. Contacts with Europeans began in the early 1700s and intensified with the arrival of English missionaries and traders in the 1830s. Under the Treaty of Berlin in 1899, the United Kingdom and Germany gave the United States rights and claims over the area, and it officially became a United States territory in 1929 when Congress ratified deeds of cession dating back to 1900 and 1904.

The American Samoa quarter reverse design depicts the ava bowl ("tanoa"), whisk and staff in the foreground with a coconut tree on the shore in the background and the inscriptions, AMERICAN SAMOA and SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA, the motto of American Samoa, which means "Samoa, God is First." The ava bowl is used to make the special ceremonial drink for island chiefs and guests during important events. The ava ceremony is considered the most significant traditional event in Samoan culture. The whisk and staff symbolize the rank of the Samoan orator delivering speeches during these gatherings. The ava bowl, whisk and staff also appear on the Official Seal of American Samoa.

Click here to know more about American Samoa.
Click here to know more about Ava Ceremony. 

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U.S. Virgin Islands




The U.S. Virgin Islands quarter is the fifth in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. These islands, located in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico, were explored by Christopher Columbus in 1493. They were first inhabited by the Arawak, Taino and later the Carib Indians, and colonized by Denmark beginning in 1666. During the Napoleonic Wars, the islands were occupied by the English from 1801 to 1802 and from 1807 to 1815. Originally named the Danish West Indies, the United States purchased the three islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John—along with approximately 50 islets, from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. Congress granted American citizenship to residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1927. Under the Revised Organic Act of 1954, the U.S. Virgin Islands were provided a substantial amount of self-government, including the creation of a central government with distinct executive, legislative and judicial branches. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for most of its gross domestic product and 70 percent of employment on the islands.

The U.S. Virgin Islands quarter reverse features an outline of the three major islands, the Yellow Breast or Bananaquit, its official bird; the Yellow Cedar or Yellow Elder, the official flower; and a Tyre Palm Tree.

Click here to know more about US Virgin Islands.
Click here to know more about Bananaquit.

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Northern Mariana Islands


The Northern Mariana Islands quarter is the sixth and final in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. A possession of Spain until 1898, the islands were sold to Germany in 1899. The islands were seized in 1914 by Japan, whose control of the islands was officially recognized in 1921 by the League of Nations. American forces occupied the Marianas during World War II, and in 1947 the group was included in the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Residents approved separate status for the Northern Marianas as a U.S. Commonwealth in 1975, and the covenant to establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was signed by President Gerald Ford the next year.
The Northern Mariana Islands quarter reverse design represents the wealth of the islands in its natural resources of land, air and sea. Near the shore stands a large limestone latte, the supporting column of ancient indigenous Chamorro structures. A canoe of the indigenous Carolinians represents the people’s seafaring skills across vast distances. Two white fairy tern birds fly in characteristic synchrony overhead. A Carolinian mwar (head lei) composed of plumeria, langilang (Ylang Ylang), angagha (peacock flower) and teibwo (Pacific Basil) borders the bottom of the design. The mwar is symbolic of the virtues of honor and respect. 
 
Click here to know more about Northern Mariana Islands.
Click here to know more about White Fairy Tern birds.

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