Superb Jahangir Portrait Mohur

Triton XXI, Lot: 1066. Estimate $75000. Sold for $325000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Mughal Empire. Nur al-Din Muhammad Jahangir. AH 1014-1037 / AD 1605-1627. AV Mohur (20mm, 10.90 g, 12h). Portrait type. Ajmer mint. Dually dated AH 1023 (11 February AD 1614-30 January AD 1615) and RY 8 (15/24 October 1612 – 14/23 October 1613). ba ruye sikka-e zad dad chanden-e zein wa zewar shabih-e Shah Nur al-Din Jahangir bar Akbar padshah (Upon the gold coin much beauty and ornament the likeness of Shah Nur al-Din Jahangir son of Akbar Padshah) in Persian, radiate Jahangir seated cross-legged left against patterned cushion holding flower; numeral 8 (rin eastern Arabic numeral) below sikka-e; legend divided by two roses, each set on arrow / zad ba zar ein dar sikka Ajmer Shah din-e panah Shah Shah Nur al-Din Jahangir bar Akbar Badshah (Struck in gold this coin at Ajmer the Shah shelter of the Faith. Shah Nur al-Din Jahangir son of Akbar Badshah) in Persian, lion recumbent right; radiate sun behind; AH date below; legend divided by two roses, each set on arrow. Liddle Type G-39; BM 318 var. (no RY date); Wright –; Hull 1425; KM 179.5; Friedberg 759; Adams III 2397 (same dies, but later strike). Near EF, toned, whisper of deposits. Well struck. An exquisite example of the very rare type and superior to the Adams specimen.

From the H.W. Collection. Ex Sotheby’s (11 March 1981), lot 255.

Numismatically, the coinage of the Mughal emperor Jahangir is quite interesting, for during his reign a number of quite artistic and unusual issues were struck. Among these, his gold mohurs are some of the most special and sought after. In addition to the mohurs, each of which feature a personified constellation of the zodiac on the obverse, Jahangir also had minted two types, featuring himself. In addition to our coin, a mohur, bearing a portrait of the Jahangir was also struck. These two types are some of the rarest and most desired mohurs of all. According to the contemporary historian, Muhammad Hashim Khafi Khan, Jahangir ordered the striking of his portrait mohur for his favored amirs or servants. More than likely this issue, with the emperor seated and holding a goblet, would have served the same purpose.