Bombay Mint – Silver Fifth Rupees (Fanams). Obverse D2, D3, E

Obv D2. This is by far the rarest obverse type – there were only three coins represented in the group of 300 that were 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 has been done 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.

Obv D3. This bears a direct link with the previous varieties insofar as the word in the top line is still mānūs, 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.

Obv E. This obverse retains the word in the top line as mānūs 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 mubārak.

Obv D2	Obv D3	Obv E