Bombay Mint – Silver Fifth Rupees (Fanams). Obverses A, A1 & B

Obv A. This is derived from the designs of the ‘munbai’ rupees of Shāh Jahān II and bears a neatly executed figure 5 in the centre. In addition, it bears vestiges of an AH date in the bottom left field which, being faithful to the prototype design, is usually 1131. However, there exists a specimen in the BM collection that has a date 1143, corresponding to 1730 AD. The word in the top line in this case is ghāzī.

This design further degrades into what may be termed obverse A1, where it retains most details of obverse A. A distinct change, which is carried forward in all subsequent types as a stylised vestige, is the vowel sign of ‘u’ appearing over ‘m’ in the word mubārak (last line). In most cases the chronological detail is seen to degenerate into vestigial numerals. However in the case of a solitary coin it has been observed to read AH 1154.

Obv B. This shows a noteworthy degradation in the execution of the legend as compared to the previous obverse. It retains the word ghāzī in the top line. However, in the last line, the chronological details after the word mubārak no longer exist and also the vowel and other signs in the word such as the sign of ‘u’ over ‘m’ and the ‘S’-shaped sign to identify the ‘k’ as the last letter of the word – have all been jumbled up.

The second significant observation that can be made regarding this obverse is the execution of the figure ‘5’. There are three distinct varieties depending on the length of the oblique stroke that joins the curve and the top horizontal line of the numeral – with short, medium and long stroke. Depending on the way the stroke has been executed, the numeral assumes a progressively lanky appearance. For the entire design, two styles of execution are seen in general – one where the letters are fine and the other, where they are bolder.

Obv A.	Obv A1.	Obv B.
Very neat, AH often visible	Some degradation. AH sometimes visible	Much cruder. There may be two varieties of Obv B

Obv A	Obv B

Long	Medium	Short
Different length shanks to numeral 5