Rupees
French India Rupee

Owner Comments:

This French Rupee was struck with the Arkot mintmark but according to KM, it was likely actually struck in Pondicherry. The year AH1218, RY 43 corresponds to 1804 and during this time Pondicherry was under the British, so maybe this coin was actually struck at Arkot. They werestruck in the name of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II (The Mughals had ironically never conquered the area) since the French wanted to use the same British strategy of minting Mughal looking coins for acceptance in commerce.

Obverse Sikka zad bar haft Kishwur / Sayaye Fazl, Shah Alam Bad Shah / elah Hami Din Mohammad.
Reverse Zarb Arkat / sanat 44 julus / maimanet / manus.

This is bright white super lustrous coin with immaculate detail and struck on a compact but perfectly circular flan. This coin is top pop at NGC for the type.