MUGH-12 Click on image for enlargement.

Indian Coins, Mughal. Nuruddin Jahangir , 1605-1627 AD, Gold Mohur 11.16 g. 20 mm. die-axis 11 o'clock.

Obverse: Large figure of Jahangir with radiate head seated cross-legged head left on Moghul throne, holding a drinking goblet in right hand, left hand on a book of verse on left knee. Persian legend around, right QUZA BAR SIKKA ZAR KARDTASAVIR, left SABIN HAZRAT SHAH JAHANGIR Destiny has drawn the portrait of His Majesty Shah Jahangir on (this) coin of gold, within double circles with pellet between.

Reverse: In center radiate sun within square, surrounded by Persian legend in four compartments, top: HAROOF JAHANGIR WA ALLAH AKBAR , bottom ZA ROZ AZI DAR ADAD AUD BARABAR From the beginning of time the letters of Jahangir, and Allahu Akbar are equal in numerical value, right YAMU'IN SANH 9 , left ZARB AJMIR 1023 AH, AH year 1023, regnal year 9 , within double circles with pellet between.




          The coin is die-identical with the specimens in the collection of the British Museum, London, England, (1349005001). Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, England (HCR7680). Bode museum, Berlin, Germany, (18248588).

          This extremely rare coin are genuine gold coins of the Imperial mints class A, solid gold not a filled metal electrotypes / reproductions.

          Islam prohibits displaying the images or idols of human or animals. As soon as Shah Jahan came to throne, he imposed a death penalty for the use of these coins as well as those having the zodiacal signs and ordered that they should be returned to the royal mint and melted. And for this reason, these coins are now rarely seen in museums or private collections, these coins are extremely rare. It is important to distinguish the early strucks which were official issues of the Mughal court, from the later imitations, which are private strike made for purposes of bullion accumulations, or for the deception of collections.

          Categories of Portrait Mohurs
Original strikes are very rare. Due to the great demand for the coins collector restrikes were issued occasionally over the centuries, and are still scarce, although they are more often encounted than the originals. There are also many fabrications and imitations of variable quality. Numismatists have devided the portrait and zodiac series Mohurs into four classes:

1. Class A: undisputed original strikes, characterized by deep relief, somewhat uneven flans, and rounded calligraphy.
2. Class B: possibly original strikes, but more likely minted in the first decade or two following Jahangir's death. The relief is shallower, of a more uniform appearance, and the calligraphy is more square.
3. Class C: Mohurs of Class A or B that have had the zodiac type removed and re-engraved.
4. Class D: later imitations and forgeries.

          Prices vary a lot: a Class D can sell for less than a hundredth (1%) of the price of Class A coin. The value of genuine issues has far outstripped inflation and the value of other invesments such as gold.