Akbar 1/16 rupee Urdu Zafar Qarin : a copy ?

[saro]

0,66g / 8,5mm
legend :" الله اکبر الف / اردو ظفر قرین  " (Allah Akbar Alif / Urdu Zafar Qarin"
Putting away my Mughal coins, I dug out out this one bought as "unidentified" more than twenty years ago and which has always challenged me.
It is in very good condition and has all the characteristics of an authentic coin (engraving, edge/weight/metal) but as it would be a very rare piece, I always had a doubt...
According to its weight it would be a 1/16 rupee "Urdu Zafar Qarin" dated "alif" (1000).
I did not find a reference although this coin do exists, but struck on a square flan, I believe.
I think that's a copy and I would be curious to know the opinion of experts in this field.

[Figleaf]

Here's the help of a generalist to a specialist. Ain't it sumpin'?

See in particular remarks with Zeno 85668 and 81034.

You seem to see two issues: the quality and the shape. Without the benefit of real knowledge, I see plenty of Urdu Zafar Qarin coins on Zeno in similar quality. Round copper Urdu Zafar Qarin are also common, but I found only one round silver coin: Zeno 129438. Still, that one coin shows that round was an option for silver.

The edge picture you show is quite interesting and may be a clue to why your coin is round. This may be an "end of batch" coin: the last slice of a silver bar (a bit like a saucisson genre Justin Bridou ) was too short for a large silver coin, so it was used for a minor coin. Since that last slice of the sausage was of uneven thickness, it required careful handling (hence the high quality), rather than ferocious heating (hence the round shape). I bet your masterpiece was created by the best minter of the camp.

I was't there, so it's all speculation, but it makes more sense to me than imitating a minor coin when you can imitate a rupee.

Peter

[saro]

Thank you very much Peter for these coins references.
I must say that I searched a lot for these UZQ silver coins on Zeno without success because they are (in my opinion..) strangely classified there.

it makes more sense to me than imitating a minor coin when you can imitate a rupee.

Yes, when we speak of a contempoary forgery (often in silver alloy) made to be in use among genuine coins, but such a minor coin  appears to be a Xrare one today and it's the reason why I suspect it to be of a modern fabrication;  in this case the pure silver is no longer a problem in view of the cost of the coin on the collectors market...
However, I remember I bought it à petit prix as "unknown coin", which is puzzling.
All UZQ silver coins of Akbar are square, and all of his copper UZQ coins are round, and I am not sure that coins makers had any liberties regarding that, the silver regal coins strike was under strict control of mint officers.
The legend is "Urdu-i-Zafar Qarin" (with the "i" added) is correct, but I still have a doubt even if the script and strike are of top quality.

[Figleaf]

Have you taken a look at Zeno 129438 ?

I understand your logic on how this could be a modern fake and repeat my declaration of innocence on these coins, but why would a modern fake be made round if practically all of them are squarish?

Peter

[saro]

Yes, Peter, I've seen #129438, it's a very rare rupee of Shah Jahan; as far I know no round UZQ silver coin of Akbar came to light and miracles are rare...
Fortunately, forgers always make small mistakes and maybe this engraving genius only considered legend,  weight and metal but not really the shape of the flan?
But I follow your optimism and I would be delighted if this tiny coin knew well Akbar's time 

[abhinumis]

Yes, Peter, I've seen #129438, it's a very rare rupee of Shah Jahan; as far I know no round UZQ silver coin of Akbar came to light and miracles are rare...
Fortunately, forgers always make small mistakes and maybe this engraving genius only considered legend,  weight and metal but not really the shape of the flan?
But I follow your optimism and I would be delighted if this tiny coin knew well Akbar's time 

I have a copper core of this forgery. Will post it after clicking the pics. The coin in the main post is definitely a forgery

[saro]

I have a copper core of this forgery. Will post it after clicking the pics. The coin in the main post is definitely a forgery

That would be nice ! Thank you for that