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Auction: 13019 - North East Indian Coins from the Nicholas Rhodes Collection
Lot: 291

Assam, Jayadhvaja Simha (1648-1663), gold octagonal Mohur, 10.91g, dated Sk. 1570, four line inscription in Assamese script on both sides within a double linear border with beads, Śri Śri Ha/ri Hara Chara/na Paraya/nasya, rev. Śri Śri Śva/rga Narayana/ Devasya Śake / 1570 (RB. A2.1; KM. 5), about extremely fine and very rare

This is the first gold issue of the Ahom rulers of Assam and it is in the octagonal format that became standard for Assamese coins until the end of the series, with only a few exceptions. The legends do not cite the ruler's name but have an invocation to Hari Hara, a syncretic deity combining both Vishnu and Shiva. It was towards the end of Jayadhvaja's reign that a disastrous Mughal invasion under Mir Jumla took place, from which few of the Mughal soldiers returned alive. Before the Mughals retreated the king signed a treaty with them and agreed to pay them tribute. Perhaps this issue formed part of that tribute.
The coins of the first few Assames coin-issuing rulers all have fixed dates.

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Sold for
£6,000