Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1681. Estimate $50000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $40000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA. Mughal Empire. Jalal al-Din Akbar.1556-1605. AV "Mehrabi" Mohur (10.75 g, 6h). Agra mint. Dated AH 981 (1573/4 AD). Kalima and the names of the four Companions within dotted lozenge; AH date / "Khallada mulkahu Jalauddin Muhammad Akbar Padishah Ghazi"; mint with epithet "Baldat" below. Carter 7; Wright 70 = Hull 1204; BMC 50 = KM 107.1. Good VF, slightly wavy flan. An extraordinary rarity of Indian coinage; the only one not in a public collection and the first to be presented in public auction. ($50,000)

The "Mehrabi" refers to the shape of the frame on several of Akbar's gold coins, as well as the lozenge-shaped flan on the exceptionally rare mohur of AH 981. It reflects the design of the typical mehrab or niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of prayer towards Mecca. The Mehrabi held an important place in the imagery of the Mughal court, and is specifically mentioned in the court chronicles Ain-e-Akbari by the emperor's secretary Abu l-Fadl 'Allami (10:13). Although Akbar would later present a moderate program for governing his vast and diverse empire, he was first and foremost a proponent of Islam, and glorified the tenets of that religion in his works and deeds. There are apparently four known Mehrabis in public collections: in the Indian Museum Calcutta (Wright 70 = Hull 1204), the British Museum (BMC 50 = KM 107.1), the Bibliotheque Nationale and the American Numismatic Society (Carter 7). The number of specimens in private hands is uncertain, but this is quite possibly the first example to be offered in any public auction.