Aurangzeb Alamgir, AE Dam, Narnol, KM 285.8

[Rangnath]

I love the old city of Bhopal with its chaotic warren of narrow streets and small shops.  It's there that I used to dodge the horns of water buffaloes, avoid stepping in steaming piles of animal waste and, at night, buy illegal booze from a hole in the wall. I also used to visit the Nawab?s palace and stood on the very same spot that the Nawab was reported to have shot and killed Tigers across the large lake in the 1940's.  It is natural that I should want a coin from Bhopal state. 
This coin has some similarities to paisa coins from Bhopal.  The area of the inscription is indented in an otherwise smooth coin. The reverse has no information; perhaps it never did.  The inscription says, according to my Syrian-American and Arabic speaking friend, rasool, or messenger, a reference of course to Mohammad. 
I looked a dozen copper paisa coins from Bhopal state.  From appearances, this coin could be one of those.  But here's the problem.  The Bhopal paisa coins range in size from 19 mm to 21 mm. My coin is 20 mm and the shape is reminiscent of those from Bhopal; somewhere in between circular and square.  But my coin weighs 12.6 grams!  What a pity.  The lightest Bhopali paisa is 14.5 grams and the heaviest is over 17!  Worse, most of the inscriptions on Bhopali coins make reference to the Shah in Delhi, the mogul emperor. I think that leaves my coin as belonging elsewhere. 
I'm making the assumption that my coin never did have detail on the reverse and that the only information on the obverse is within the indented area.  Anyone have an idea where else I might look for coins like mine besides Bhopal?

[Oesho]

This copper coin is not from Bhopal, but it has the mintname: Narnol by some of the Mughal rulers of India. The inscription on the obverse is completely worn and as such it can't be attributed, however, the weight provided (12.6 g.) comes to our rescue. As Akbar struck Dams of about 20 g. it can't be an issue of Akbar. Aurangzeb Alamgir did strike copper dams at Narnol in the light weight standard of 13-13.6 g. As the above coin is very worn and a weight of 12.6 g. it must be a light weight dam of Aurangzeb Alamgir (AH1068-1118/AD1658-1707), struck at Narnol. ref.KM#285.8.

[Rangnath]

Aurangzeb is on my short list of Sultanates in which I would choose not to live. But, I like the idea of having a dam of his and I'm thrilled with the designation.
Richie

[Figleaf]

Pretty amazing determination, Oesho. I can't see more than three or maybe four letters. Superb

Peter

[Overlord]

Here are the illustrations from Valentine's excellent book: