MUGH-29 Click on image for enlargement.

Indian Coins, Mughal. Nuruddin Jahangir , 1605-1627 AD, Gold Mohur 11.17 g. 19.8 mm. die-axis 7 o'clock.

Obverse: Crab (Cancer) . Crab back with 6 dotted on the body of the crab, sun in background, SAHN 15 JULUS Regnal year 15 at the bottom, within double circle with pellet between. The sign of cancer corresponds to the month in which this coin was issued.

Reverse: Persian legend, YAFT DAR AGRA RUE ZAR ZEWAR AZ JAHANGIR SHAH AKBAR SHAH The face of money received beauty at Agra through Jahangir Shah, (son of) Akbar shah, AH year 1029 , within double circle with pellet between.




          The coin is die-identical with the specimens in the collection of the British Museum, London, England, (448645001). Bode museum, Berlin, Germany, (18248247), (18248248). American Numismatic Society, New York, U.S.A., (1392.102.23).

          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 portrait or animal 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.

          There are several vareities of this sign.

          An extraordinary rarity of Indian coinage in genuine Mohur of the Mughal Imperial mints class A, solid gold coin not a filled metal electrotypes / reproductions.

          Categories of Zodiac 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 investments such as gold.