Bombay Mint – Silver Fifth Rupees (Fanams), Obverse Varieties

Obv A	Obv A1	Obv B	Obv C

Obv D1	Obv D2	Obv D3	Obv E	Obv F

Obverse A:

This is derived from the designs of the ‘Munbai’ rupees of Shahjahan 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 ‘Ghazi’.

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 ‘Mubarak’ (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.

Obverse B

This shows a noteworthy degradation in the execution of the legend as compared to the previous obverse. It retains the word ‘Ghazi’ in the top line. However, in the last line, the chronological details after the word ‘mubarak’ 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.

Obverse C:

The top line in this case clearly spells out ‘Alamgir’, so here there is no ambiguity about whose designs have been used as a prototype. The execution of legends in this case seems to be quite accurate, and the extant specimens show it to be of superior workmanship. The figure ‘5’ survives in the centre. Although there is no explicit chronological detail seen, a group of small vertical strokes just below the ‘‘Ain’ of ‘Alamgir’ indicates a vestige of the Hijri date as it appeared on the prototype.

Obverse D1:

On this variety the word in the top line seems to be ‘Manoos’, which one would expect as the top line on the reverse given the usual legend arrangement. This obverse type is also noteworthy for a most peculiarly engraved ‘5’. The oblique stroke of the numeral is at its longest here and that gives the numeral a very lanky appearance. The partial letters seen on the last line are remnants of ‘Mubarak’, which makes this design stylistically closer to obverse 2. Also noteworthy is the shape of the ‘knot’ in the top line and the way it curves in a sigmoid fashion towards the end of the stroke. There is no chronological detail, not even in a vestigial form.

Obverse D2:

This is by far the rarest obverse type – there were only three coins represented in the group of 300 that we examined (although others with less readable legend may have been of this type). Consequently, it has not been possible to reconstruct the design to the extent that we have with the other types. Stylistically it bears close links with obverse D1, in terms of the execution of the extant characters and the ‘knot’ in the top line that retains the same flow in its course. However, the most significant distinguishing feature is that the numeral ‘5’ now appears inverted – the form that Pridmore erroneously described as the ‘Malayalim’. This is a significant deviation in the type characteristics and continues in all succeeding obverse types.

Obverse D3:

This bears a direct link with the previous varieties insofar as the word in the top line is still ‘Manoos’, however the execution of the characters seems to be of better workmanship. The ‘knot’ in the top line no longer bears the sigmoid end. The figure of 5 is seen in the inverted form and bears a close resemblance to that seen on the previous variety.

Obverse E:

This obverse retains the word in the top line as ‘Manoos’ and continues to bear the inverted figure ‘5’. But the execution of characters is noticeably better than that seen in obverses D1 and D2. It lacks chronological details and the bottom line shows vestiges of ‘Mubarak’.

Obverse F:

Executionally, this is the most singular of all the obverse types and shows no similarity with any of those listed above. The only sequential link it offers in the design is the inverted figure ‘5’ in the centre. Almost all characters are vestigial, but one can certainly discern the top line as derived from ‘Shah Alam’, while the central and bottom lines are ‘Badshah’ and ‘Sikka Mubarak’. The central line has some noticeable peculiarities – to the right of the numeral and beyond ‘Sha’, the vestige of the ‘Alif’ in what remains of ‘Ba’ has assumed a sharply backward slash-like form and there is a circle to its right. To the left, there is a cluster of four dots within a curve and one of those always bears a small prong coming out of it. No chronological details are visible.