Bombay 1 Pice 1674

[andyg]

I think I can make out "OMBAY" which presumably is Bombay - but I need help finding this one in Krause please.  2nd line reads "NGLI" ? and third "GIM"

Weight is 13.6g

[Afrasi]

Bombay!

MONETA
BOMBAYES
ANGLICI
REGIMS
Ao 9o

1 Pice, KM # A143

[andyg]

thanks
I realised the problem from the KM# - I'd not looked early enough.

[Figleaf]

These series are hard to find in any condition and weakly struck to boot, andyg. Congratulations.

Peter

[abhinumis]

Hi,
Here is my specimen.. Kindly can anyone point out the date on the coin
http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,12366.msg92986.html#msg92986

[@josephjk]

Cannot tell date from the image but there is some info here
http://www.baldwin.co.uk/coins-of-india/EuropeanHammered/HammeredEuropean_Copper1672.htm

[Figleaf]

Thanks, Joseph, lovely page. Those line drawings cleared up my confusion. In terms of that page, Abishek's coin is obverse A, reverse X. Undated, but safe to say 1672-1678.

Peter

[@josephjk]

There is a note on Numista that states Ao9o being nine years from 1665 = 1674 the date of the coin (I guess Ao7o would then be  1672) what is the significance of 1665? Why count forward from that year?

http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces37274.html

[Figleaf]

I think it has much to do with the fall of Surat to the Marathas in 1664. Before, Surat was the major import/export harbour of the Mughal empire. That function was taken over by Bombay, especially after the EIC established a factory (trading post) there in 1668. The legend on these coins can be interpreted to say that from now on, not Surat under Mughal control, but Bombay under English control is the premier city of the empire.

Peter

[abhinumis]

Hi all,
My coin according to Baldwin has an obverse A, reverse X. I could not find my type dated in Pridmore too.. Can this be a mule??

[Figleaf]

Not likely. In those days, dies were cut by hand and many dies were needed. Die cutters could normally play with the legends to make them fit around the coin. It is unlikely that a missing date would have upset anyone. There are plenty of examples of dateless varieties of dated coins in Europe.

Peter