INDIA. British East India Company. Bombay Presidency. Surat Type Mohur, Privy Mark 3, Reginal Year 46 (1802). Bombay Mint. In the Name of Shah Alam II. NGC AU Details--Damaged.

Fr-1558a; cf.KM-242; cf. Prid-260 (Panchia); Stevens-3.2. Frozen reginal year date. 1802 Upside down on panel and leopard head on the reverse. This type is breathtakingly RARE, as evidenced by its omission from Pridmore's catalog. Pridmore lists the specific privy mark as number 3 and being introduced in 1802 to denote the standardization of gold fineness in the Bombay Presidency. Pridmore, no. 260, was only able to confirm one example on a Panchia (1/3 Mohur) and left further research to others. This example, along with the few others that have come to public auction, were likely struck with the same dies as the Panchia. The type was evidently produced in excessively limited number and many have acted as a transition piece. Research indicates that only two known examples have reached public auction before, once in 2015 and another in 2008. The piece offered here gives strong details and a beautiful honey golden color. As NGC notes, there is damage on the piece, the upper portion of the flan shows an unnatural pattern of wear. Despite this flaw, it is sure to drive much attention with its rarity and unique historical position. Sure to be a highlight of all the Indian coinage offered at the New York International Numismatic Convention.