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The Coin of India Jahangir 'Wine Cup' Gold Mohur

Researching about coins is not an easy thing to do especially when there’s not so many articles written about a certain coin. What we will talk about today is one of the most expensive Coin in India, the Jahangir 'Wine Cup' Gold Mohur.

For a short definition, the Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments, including British India and some of the princely states which existed alongside it, the Mughal Empire, Kingdom of Nepal, and Persia (chiefly Afghanistan). It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states continued to issue the coins until their accession to India after 1947. Similar coins were also issued by the British authorities in denominations of 2⁄3 mohur (10 rupees), 1⁄3 mohur (5 rupees) and the double mohur (30 rupees), and some of the princely states issued half-mohur coins (equal to 7 rupees and 8 anna).


The mohur coin was first introduced by Sher Shah Suri during his rule in India between 1540 and 1545 and was then a gold coin weighing 169 grains (10.95 grams). He also introduced copper coins called dam and silver coins called rupiya that weighed 178 grains (11.53 grams). Later on, the Mughal emperors standardized this coinage of tri-metallism across the sub-continent in order to consolidate the monetary system.

There has been no data about Private sales for this coin but for Public auction, this coin was sold at 220,000 US Dollars. One website claims that all information of those Indian coins that are so unique or extremely rare are but yet to have prices set at auctions or public sales are omitted.


Indian Coins, Mughal. Nuruddin Jahangir, 1605-1627 AD, Gold Mohur (11.16 grams; 20 mm.), die-axis 11 o'clock.

Obverse: Large figure of Jahangir with radiate head seated cross-legged head left on Moghul throne, holding a drinking goblet in right hand, left hand on a book of verse on left knee. Persian legend around, right QUZA BAR SIKKA ZAR KARDTASAVIR, left SABIN HAZRAT SHAH JAHANGIR Destiny has drawn the portrait of His Majesty Shah Jahangir on (this) coin of gold, within double circles with pellet between.

Reverse: In center radiate sun within square, surrounded by Persian legend in four compartments, top: HAROOF JAHANGIR WA ALLAH AKBAR , bottom ZA ROZ AZI DAR ADAD AUD BARABAR From the beginning of time the letters of Jahangir, and Allahu Akbar are equal in numerical value, right YAMU'IN SANH 9 , left ZARB AJMIR 1023 AH, AH year 1023, regnal year 9 , within double circles with pellet between.

According to one website, Jahangir was the son of Akbar by his Rajput queen, Princess Jodhabai of Amber. The Jahangir Mohur is a lovely illustration of his love for wine! It portrays Jahangir seated cross-legged on the throne proudly holding a wine goblet in his hand !On the one hand, it shows Jahangir's love for wine and on the other hand it also perhaps portrays his disregard for Islamic tenets which specifically forbid drink and wine.

There you have it folks, we hope that we have triggered your curiosity on this Indian Coin. Should you have any additional information about this, feel free to share it via comments below.

Happy hunting everyone!

Cheerio!

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