Summary

1/2 Rupee, Issued by Bengal, India, 1820-1831
Lucknow sikka of the 45th san
Minted by Farrukhabad Mint

Obverse Description

Persian legend (legend translation: Defender of the religion of Muhammad. Shah Alam, Emperor. Shadow of the divine favour, put his stamp on the seven climes)

Reverse Description

Persian legend (legend translation: Struck at Farrukhabad in the 45th year of his reign of tranquil prosperity)

Edge Description

Milled (vertical)

Significance

In 1801 the East India Company obtained control of territory once under the Nawab of Oudh and the Nawab of Farrukhabad. To provide coinage for their new territories it was decided to strike a rupee (and its fractions) of the same size and silver fineness as the perpetual 19 san sicca being struck at Calcutta for Bengal. The new coin would be known as the Lucknow sicca rupee of the 45th san. A mint was established at Furrukhabad to strike them (the mint name Farrukhabad in the line below the Regnal year). Like the 19 san sikka the date on the 45 san sicca was frozen. This coin was struck at Farrukhabad, it bears a tiny dot near the rim on the obverse at 4 o'clock. Near identical coins, with the mint name Farrukhabad as a design formula were also struck at Calcutta, Benares and perhaps Sagar mints.

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