Summary

Copper 1/2 Falus coin issued by King Wajid Ali Shah for the Awadh Princely State, India
Struck in 1270 AH (1853-1854 AD) at the Lucknow mint

Obverse Description

Persian legend (partly off flan) with date 1270

Reverse Description

At centre, arms: two mermaid supporters holding clubs outwards and pennants inward; at centre 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

This coin was struck during the reign of Wajid Ali Shah at a time when Awadh was largely under the control of the British East India Company. Indeed, in 1856 Awadh was annexed and Wajid Ali Shah was placed in retirement in Calcutta till his death in 1887. The reverse depicts the seal of the Nawabs of Awadh as adopted during the reign of Muhammad Ali Shah (1837-1842)

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