INDIA. Mughal Empire. Cancer Zodiac Rupee, AH 1027 Year 13 (1618). Ahmadabad Mint. Jahangir. PCGS Genuine--Damage, VG Details.

KM-150.10; Hull-1475; Liddle Type S-182; BMC-370/71. Corresponding to the Ilhai month Tir (Cancer). A presentable example from the ever popular Zodiac Rupee series, featuring a less commonly encountered zodiac month in Cancer. This Rupee, while displaying two evident shroff marks on the obverse, still displays a wholesome and original appearance, being mostly pleasing. A charming example of this popular type, and a Rupee that will do well as a hole filler for those collectors seeking an example of this type. Though the Mughal Empire was Sunni Muslim in governance, the emperor Jahangir was a bit free-thinking. He drank alcohol and was a patron of the arts, and his actions have led historians to question the devoutness of his Muslim faith. Much speculation has run rampant about a possible conversion to Christianity or Hinduism. Whatever the case, Jahangir found the style of Mughal coinage that preceded him a bit uninspired and sought a new coinage for the Empire that better suited his artistic tastes. His memoirs record: "It occurred to me that instead of the month, a figure of the constellation representing the month should be depicted…for every month in which a coin was minted one side would bear a picture of the constellation in which the sun rose. This method is peculiarly my own and has never been used before." Such inspiration gave rise to his most famed numismatic legacy, the Zodiac Rupees and Mohurs commemorating each month with a differing astrological symbol. While beautiful, this coinage fell afoul of the most pious, as astrology is generally considered haram in Sunni Islam. After the reign of Jahangir, the majority of these pieces were rounded up and consigned to be melted and recoined.

Estimate: $800.00 - $1200.00