The study of coins, specifically the older ones is known to be Numismatics and this bears a pivotal role in finding out of the socio-economic scenario of any country of a given time period. On top of that, Numismatics has always played an important role for the study of history. This not only gives information about the various dynasties and their reigns, but also provides good knowledge about the economic aspects of a country. Therefore, the importance of numismatics cannot be overruled to achieve a solid idea about the past. To be very precise, this is equally important for the students and the scholars of History to take interest in Numismatics in order to grab the fullest possible idea about the past. In simple terms, it also draws the same attention as by other sources of history, viz. literary, ephigraphical and other important sources in determining the historical milestones of a nation. But, this is very disheartening to note that some of the Historians whom we come across while studying history do not put proper emphasis on this inevitable factor and thus nullify the genuineness of the study of Numismatics.
It was in 2003, when I was pursuing my Masters Degree from Pune University, I came to understand the importance of numismatics in history. I was greatly inspired by the old coins which were shown to us by our Professor Dr. Mrs. Shila Patwardhan. Since then, the study of coins has become not only a matter of interest for me but a hobby as well. This was utterly amazing for me to believe that the mere coins which are, in reality made for meeting the need of individuals in their day to day lives are also such prolific in their substantiality. Though, the coins which I have collected so far are very few in numbers but the same can emerge very useful in making a historical survey of about 400 years. I have illustrated and enumerated the importance of the coins in the subsequent paragraphs and this effort on my part will have an adorable reception, I do expect.
Mughal Coin. 01
Metal used for the coin : Copper.
Weight of the coin : 18 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue : 1616 A.D.
Place of mint : Unknown
Money Value : Unknown
Shape : Round.
Obverse : Sacred words of the Holy Quran along with 786, the holy number believed by the Muslims.
Reverse : Sacred words of the Holy Quran.
Issuing Authority : Nur-Ud-Din Muhammad Jahangir (1569- 1627 A.D)
Description : The coin was issued in 1616 A.D., the period when the influence of Nur-Jahan over the Emperor Jahangir was at its height. Made up of copper the coin weights approx. 18 grams. The coin looks more Islamic in its appearance than Indian.
East India Company Coin- 01
Metal used for the coin:- Copper
Weight:- 6 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1616 A.D.
Place of mint:- Unknown, probably Surat, the Head Quarter of the English East India Company.
Money Value:- Half Anna.
Shape:- Round.
Obverse:- Transcribed in English “East India Company U.K.” with the mention of the year of issue as 1616.
Reverse:- Two balloon like objects have been featured.
Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.
Description:- The East India Company was founded in 1600 A.D. as they secured their permission to establish their Company in Surat. From this coin, it becomes evident that the East India Company not only secured permission to set-up a Company but, they also secured their right to mint coin in their own name.
East India Company Coin-02
Metal used for the coin:- Copper
Weight:- 8 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1717 A.D.
Place of mint:- Unknown.
Money Value:- Half Anna.
Shape:- Round.
Obverse:- Written in English “East India Company U.K.” mentioned the year of issue as 1717.
Reverse:- Portrait of Mecca, the holy place of the Muslims along with a half moon and a star. The reverse side of the coin also shows 786, the holy number of the Muslims.
Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.
Description:- The earlier coins issued by the east India Company had some secular features as we have seen, that they had featured a balloon like object on the reverse of the coins issued by them a century ago. But, this coin has the mark of Islamic religion. They engraved it on their coin to maintain a cordial relation with the Mughal authority. Their stay in India for more than a century had made them enabled to understand the Indian society in a broader manner. In order to secure more trade privileges from the Mughal Empire, they needed to show a kind of respect towards the religion of the rulers. These reasons might have compelled the East India Company to depict the image of Mecca on their coins.
East India Company Coin-03
Metal used for the coin:- Copper
Weight:- 18 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1818 A.D.
Place of mint:- Ratlam.
Money Value:- Unknown.
Shape:- Round.
Obverse:- Written in English the name of the concerned authority as “East Indya Company U.K”. The name of the place where the coin was minted has been written in Devanagari as Ratlam and is placed at the centre of the coin. At the bottom, the year of its issue is written in English. At the centre, OM the religious symbol of the Hindus is featured with few flowery designs.
Reverse:- Written in Devanagari ‘Saach Bolo Sach Taulo’ in a semi-circle manner that covers both the sides of the coin. In the middle of this writing, a figure of Lord Hanuman is depicted. At the bottom the name of issuing authority is mentioned. This coin is locally known in Sikkim as Hanumaney Paisa.
Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.
Description:- In this coin the word India is written as INDYA which suggests that the coins were probably minted by the Indian minters. The depiction of the major Indian Gods on the East India Company’s coins shows that they had a bigger aim of flourishing their trade. Politically they were well aware from the fact that the Great Mughal Empire was at the verge of disintegration. Hence, to expand their trade they wanted to have a cordial relation with some great Hindu kingdoms like Marathas and the Sikhs. This may be the important reason why they have featured the Hindu Gods on their coins.
East India Company Coin-04
Metal used for the coin:- Copper
Weight:- 8 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1818 A.D.
Place of mint:- Unknown.
Money Value:- Half Anna.
Shape:- Round.
Obverse:- Name of the issuing authority is written in a semi- circle style along with the year of its issue on the bottom of the coin with few flowery designs.
Reverse:-. In the middle, a figure of Lord Hanuman lifting Sumeru Mountain is depicted. This coin is also locally known in Sikkim as Hanumaney Paisa.
Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.
Description:- Same as Coin No.3.
TO BE CONTINUED.....................
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