Lot No.999
AUC47
East India Company
Silver
Bombay Presidency, Silver Rupee, 11.52g, William & Mary, Bombay issue, in the style of the Mughal coins but with a Persian couplet with the names of British monarchs William and Mary, Regnal Year 5 (rare date). P,Stevens (Page 201) 1.26/F.Prid 27. Very Fine+, Extremely Rare.
In 1693 the written records note that Emperor Aurangzeb was very displeased with an issue of coins from the East India Company in Bombay. A Khafi Khan from the emperor, in another source is reported visiting the Company at Bombay and complained about the name of the "Impure King" on the coins issued without his Emperor's authority, which were shown to him in AH 1105 (Sept 1693 - Aug. 1694). At Bombay, the East India Company had previously issued rupees with English text in 1677 but these failed to gain acceptability and were soon melted down. Aurangzeb opposed specifically to the coin issued above, because it carried the names of King William III and Queen Mary. These coins he claimed could be confused with Aurangzeb's own coinage and thus provoked the emperor. The English in return explained that they coined money in their own King's name by stating that they had to purchase investments at places where the Mogul's money did not pass. The emperor's protest was effective and they ceased to issue any more coins and most were withdrawn and melted down, hence its rarity today.
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