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.
My Coins Collection
Sunday, 14 January 2024
Jaripataka Rupaya (Silver)
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'.
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.
Monday, 3 July 2017
USA 50 States and 6 Territories Quarters Map Album
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:
- 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.
- Coin vending machines in different grocery stores like Walmart/ Pick-n-save.
- 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.
- 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)
District of Columbia
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.
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 White Fairy Tern birds.