Owner Comments:
Indo-French, Arkat Mint, Silver Nazarana Rupee, AH 1198 (1784)/32 RY, In the name of Shah Alam II.
It is reported that broad-flan Rupees, with full legends visible, were struck at Pondicherry for Mahé. See in particular the article "Le monnayage de Mahé" by Daniel Cariou in Numismatique Asiatique Numéro 4 (Dec. 2012). Rupees such as this do not seem to come to the market with the normal signs of circulation so may have been used solely or primarily as presentation pieces. This coin has a mistaken date engraved is 32 instead of 23. Jean Lecompte lists 19 coins of this date.
Obverse: "saya-e-fazle" couplet,sikka zad bar haft kishwar sayale fazle elah hami-e-dine mohammad, shah alam badshah,
Reverse: Sana 32 julus, zarb arkat at bottom, heavily decorated with rosettes,
11.43g, 32.0mm, (KM # 16)
ex Baldwins 41, 246 (Jan 2020)
ex CNG India (2022)
This coin is tied for NGC top pop for the type and is the since top pop for the year. The toning is natural and attractive and it has the minutest wear at the high points.