KUTCH: Lakhpatji I, 1752-1760, AR 1/2 rupee, AH(116)9 year 9, KM-, Rajgor-10.1, struck in the name of Ahmad Shah Durrani, his couplet hukm shod az qadar-i-bechun ba-ahmad padshah / sikka zad bar sim o zar az awj-i-mahi ta bah mah, hijri date to left // Ahmad's regnal year 9 above zarb bhujnagar within circle, Devanagari legend miraja raja maharau shri lakhpati around, trident at 12h, boldly struck with brilliant luster, a wonderful mint state example of this extremely rare and historically interesting type! PCGS graded MS64, RRR. During his reign, Lakhpatji I issued regular silver koris with the name of Ahmad Shah Durrani. This was likely a gesture of deference towards the much feared Afghan conquerer, who had already wreaked havoc across northwestern India and would go on to sack Delhi and Agra. But this extraordinary type, which was struck on the rupee standard, went so far as to feature Ahmad Shah's own couplet and regnal year, while relegating the Kutch ruler's own name and title to the reverse margin. It clearly illustrates Lakhpatji's desire to preserve his prosperous kingdom from destruction, even if it means symbolically prostrating himself before another ruler.

Estimate: USD 6000 - 7000