Summary

Silver 1/8 Rupee coin issued by King Wajid Ali Shah for the Awadh Princely State, India
Struck in 1271 AH (1854-1855 AD) at the Lucknow mint

Obverse Description

Persian legend with date 1271 at right (Translation of full legend from Catalogue of the Coins in the Indian Museum Calcutta, Vol.IV, p.49: Struck coin on gold and silver through the grace of the divine help Wajid Ali, the Sultan of the world, the monarch, the shade of God)

Reverse Description

At centre, arms, two mermaid supporters holding clubs outwards and pennants inward; at centre a round shield; above shield, a crown surmounted by an umbrella; below all, two swords and crossed clubs above a scroll; around (partly off flan) Persian legend

Edge Description

The edge is plain.

Significance

Wajid Ali Shah was the fifth King of Awadh (Oudh) holding the position from 13 February 1847 to 11 February 1856 when the British East India Company took control. He modified the Arms of Awadh using mermaids as supporters as depicted on the reverse of this coin.

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