Previous Next

Sulṭāns of Bengal – Struck INO Nāṣir al-dīn Maḥmūd, Sulṭān of Dehlī (AH 644-664, AD 1246-66), Style of Lakhnautī Mint

	السلطان الأعظم ناصر الدنيا و الدين أبو المظفر محمود شاه بن سلطان		في عهد الامام المستنصر أمير المؤمنين
The legend within a double square surrounded by a circle: al-sulṭān al-a‘ẕam nāṣir al-dunyā wa al-dīn abū al-muẕaffar maḥmūd shāh bin sulṭān (= The supreme Sulṭān exalted of the world and the faith, father of the conqueror, Maḥmūd Shāh son of Sulṭān). Arabesques in the segments between circle and outer square.		The legend within a double square surrounded by a circle: fī ‘ahd al-imām al-musta‘ṣim amīr al-mū’minīn (= In the time of the Imam al-Musta’ṣim, leader of the faithful). 1 dot in each segment. In the margin is the date: ضرب .... أربعين ستمائة

Actual Weight (g)

11.0

Actual Diameter (mm)

?

Composition

Gold

Catalogue

GG	Photo Link	Denomination	AH	Provenance	Comments	Rarity
66A	√ 2668c.	Tanka	Sha’ban 951	Bald	Various early Sulṭāns of Bengal coins are known where the month of issue is cited but this is the first known example from the reign of this ruler. Moreover the type is different from all other Bengal coins of Mahmud with the legends of both sides being engraved within a circle, instead of the usual double square within a circle. Early in his reign, the Bengal coinage was struck in the name of the defunct caliph al-Mustanṣir – and this includes the gold type hitherto published; the earliest reported date for coins citing al-Musta‘ṣim is AH 649. The month is clear in the marginal legend of this coin as is the 1 of the year. The lower part of khamsin (50) is sufficiently visible to be reasonably sure. Baldwin (2006), sale 47, lot 958. Only one known at present.	RRR