Summary

1/2 Paisa coin, issued by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the Kashmir Princely State, India
Hammered copper coinage struck at the Jammu mint in the period 1935-1949 VS (1876-1890 AD)

Obverse Description

Near centre, a leaf within a Persian legend, mostly, including date, off flan; (Valentine gives the legend as Zarb Jamun sanbat (date))

Reverse Description

Legend in Dogri Takari characters including the date numerals 19; below, a scimitar

Significance

Kashmir was taken from Afghan control by the Sikhs in 1819 and from them by the British in 1845. A year later it and Jamu were sold to Gulab Singh (father of the issuer of this coin) for 3/4 million pound sterling. The small denomination 1/2 paisa coin was introduced in 1876 during a great famine which had brought trade to a standstill. At this time also, Ranbir Singh had a cart road built from Srinagar to Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) to facilitate importation of food. The denomination was well recieved and was struck almost every year until 1890 (during the reign of Pertab Singh) when it was discontinued.

More Information