[NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAlT]
BULLETIN
Published by:
NUMISMATICS
INTERNATIONAL,
P. 0. Box 30013, Dallas, Texas, 75230
AUGUST 1973
Volume 1, No. 8
Copyrighted August 1973 by NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
The First Coins of Czechoslovakia - Ladislav Sin 183
Gold and Silver Coins of the Bahmani Shahs of Gulbarga - Richard
K. Bright 191
Russia Coin Tour - Pictorial Story 185
DEPARTMENTS
Book Reviews 180
Dallas Chapter Program and Meeting Announcement 174
Member Notice Page 204
New Issues 174
INSIDE N. I.
ANA Convention Meeting 179
Curator Appointed 178
Librarian's Report 178
Membership Chairman's Report 177
OTHER ITBMS
Concerning "A Possible New Countermark of Thailand" - Albert J.
Ruh l8l
Editorial 176
NI Library Has Significant Increase in Size 175
Numismatic Vignette - Henry W. Schab 204
Omission in "Pisanello, Painter and Medallist" Article Last
Month - William B. Warden, Jr. 204
Special Report 175
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ROSS SCHRAEDER Chairman
ELMORE B. SCOTT President
IRVING BERLIN Vice-President
DR. HOWARD L. FORD Secretary
WILLIAM E. BENSON K. T. EDWARDS MARVIN L. FRALEY JACK E. LEWIS EDWARD E. SLADE ROBERT L. TOMLINSON JOHN E. VANDIGRIFF Past -Pre s ident s
APPOINTED STAFF
MARVIN L. FRALEY Editor
CARL YOUNG Librarian
JACK E. LEWIS Membership Chrm.
DR. HOWARD L. FORD Notes of Interest
DOLORES H. DAVIS Publicity
"GOALS FOR NI" COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
WILLAIM E. BENSON Management and Structure
JACK E. LEWIS Membership
JOHN E. VANDIGRIFF Publications
DR. HOWARD L. FORD Services and Activities
NEW ISSUES WITH ASSIGNED YEOMAN NUMBERS
(The catalog numbers assigned to new issued pub- lished here are supplied by special arrangement with "Current Coins of the World", published and copyrighted by Western Publishing Co., Inc., Whitman Publishing Div., Racine, Wisconsin, USA. No further use of these catalog , numbers in . any other publication is authorized. )
AUSTRIA
Y131 25 Schilling 1973, Silver (30mm) Centennial Birth of Max Reinhardt Y132 5° Schilling 1973, Silver (34mm)
500th Anniv. of Bummerlhaus in Steyr Y133 50 Schilling 1973, Silver (34mm)
Centennial Birth of Dr. H. C. Theodor Korner
BAHAMAS
Y27 10 Dollars 1973, Silver (50mm)
Independence July 10, 1973 Commemorative
GREECE
Y63 25 Drachmai 1973, Cupro-Nickel (32mm)
GUATEMALA
Y127 5 Centavos 1971, Nickel-Brass (l6mm)
Y128 10 Centavos 1971, Nickel-Brass (21mm)
Y129 25 Centavos i971, Nickel-Brass (27mm)
INDIA
Y98 5 Paise 1972, Aluminum (Square Planchet)
UGANDA
Y8 5 Shillings 1972, Cupro-Nickel (30mm, 7-sided)
YUGOSLAVIA
YA45 1 Dinar 1973, Copper-Nickel-Zinc (22mm)
/WWVWWWWWWVWVWAAAMWMMMAAAAMAAM
DALLAS CHAPTER PROGRAM AND MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
One Hundred Tenth meeting of NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL (DALLAS)
Wednesday, August 15, 1973, 7:30 P.M.
Community Room (East Side)
63OO East Mockingbird Lane DALLAS, TEXAS, USA
PROGRAM: "A Numismatic Kaliedoscope"
SPEAKER: Dr. Howard L. Ford
We have two excellent programs scheduled for this month and next. In September the program will be on "Scarce Paper Money of the World", presented by William E. Benson. All members in the area are urged to be in attendance at these meetings.
174
SPECIAL REPORT
NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL - AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION
From its inception in 1964 a principal goal of Numismatics Internation- al has been to encourage the study of numismatics among its members and to provide a basis for an educational organization from which its memb- ers and the general public may benefit from the numismatic knowledge brought to it and gained by its members. This goal has been attained in part by its recognition and chartering by the State of Texas as a non-profit educational organization in 1971-
Since that time NI has not only continued to publish an informative monthly bulletin, but has published a book written by one of its members in furtherance of its educational purpose.
Another goal - an important goal - has now been attained. Numismatics International has now been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an educational organization and has granted NI an exemption under the Internal Revenue Code. This exemption can mean a great deal to NI and its members and has the potential to assist NI in its education- al goal.
Under the exemption, NI is exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, individuals may make contributions to NI and deduct the value of the contributions from their income for tax purposes as provided in Section 170 of the Code. Similarly, bequest, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to NI are deductable for Federal estate and gift tax purposes under Sections 2055, 2106 and 2522 of the Code.
What this exemption really means is that NI now has a means of con- tinuing its educational purpose assisted by contributions and gifts from its members and supporters. Gifts may be in the form of cash, books, coins or any other property which NI can use or dispose of to support its activities.
Any such contributions to NI will be formally acknowledged. The ack- nowledgement will serve as a record for the donor on which a tax de- duction may be based.
NI LIBRARY HAS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SIZE
The NI library has recently had a significant increase in size. This increase is due to the generous gift of Walter Bezner of Dallas, Texas who gave his entire numismatic library to NI. Walt's library included over 200 books and a number of periodicals.
A second sizable donation was made by Marvin L. Fraley, Lubbock, Texas. Marvin gave over 'JO books and a number of periodicals and catalogs.
Both of these donations are appreciated by NI and will make available to NI members a large number of books for use in their numismatic studies. Thse new books will be included in the NI Library List that is now in preparation.
175
EDITOR I AL
About once each year I come to the point of deciding whether to push the "panic button" or not. This usually occurs just after a 32 or 36 page mailing of the NI Bulletin which has almost depleted my entire stock of numismatic articles on hand.
As editor of the HI Bulletin, most of the time I have been in the enviable position of having an excellent backlog of material on hand for future publication, thanks to the fine support of our membership.
In 1973 we undertook the expansion of the NI Bulletin to a projected total of 300 pages. When I agreed to this expansion I knew at that time the authors among the membership would have to increase their support in order for us to continue publishing original articles on varied items of interest.
One interesting aspect is that in the 172 pages published through July of this year, approximately 117 pages were numismatic articles sub- mitted by the membership, or 68$ of the entire content of the NI Bulletin. This figure does not include Book Reviews. Most other pub- lications turn to advertising for their printing revenue, but even if they omitted the advertising from their page count, it is doubtful if many would reach the 68$ content of numismatic articles.
Once again it is time to decide if we need to push the "panic button".
I presently have on hand enough material for publication of one or possible two more issues. The backlog has not been this low in some time. We have additionally on hand material for three monographs which we plan to publish separately. If worst got to worst, we could print these monographs in the regular issue of the NI Bulletin, expand- ing our "on hand" material to enough for 5 or 6 issues.
Many of you have promised articles and are probably working on articles. This is sincerely appreciated and I shall look forward to receiving them as soon as they are completed. I would also like to urge those of you who have not had any thoughts of writing a numismatic article to give it serious consideration. It is a rewarding experience to complete an article and have it published, sharing your knowledge about your particular specialty with the rest of the membership. It may surprise some of you to know that about 95$ of all material re- ceived is published in the NI Bulletin. I have always taken the attitude that the NI Bulletin should be a proving ground for aspir- ing numismatic writers, as well as an outlet for publication of the more professionally written articles. Novice or expert, we welcome all material, rejecting very little.
There is no worry that we will not attain our goal of 300 pages at the end of this year due to a shortage of material received. If necessary we will go back into the early days of the NI Bulletin and reprint some of the better articles that many of the newer members of NI did not have the opportunity to read.
However, I wish to make this appeal to all members to consider writing an article about your specialty. Short "filler" type items are also urgently needed to fill out the bottom of the page in many instances.
If you need help, let us know and we will be glad to assist any way we can. Thank you.
176
The Editor
INSIDE N.l.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:
July Applications for Membership: Membership Applications Number 876-
881 published in the July 1973 NI Bulletin have been admitted to membership.
August Applications for Membership: The following persons have applied
for membership. If no written objections are received by September 1, 1973, their membership will become effective that date.
(MT = Will Trade by Mail)
882- MT T. Lingen, Dr. A. Schweitzerstraat 29/ Bergambacht 2317/
Netherlands -- (Indian Coinage)
883- MT Michael Pfefferkorn, P. 0. Box 2829/ Carondelet Station/
St. Louis, Mo. 63m — (India, Persia, Anc. Greek, General
Mid East, Tokens)
884- MT 0. C. Muennink, P. 0. Box 604l, San Antonio, Texas 7^209
(Dealer in World Coins)
885- MI Richard W. Saxen, Dunhill Drive, Lincondale, N. Y. IO5I4O
(Br. Commonwealth, Crowns)
886 Russel Rulau, 520 No. Ohio, Sidney, Ohio 45365 (Numismatic Publisher)
887- MT Igor V. Victorov, Lenin Prospect, 22, KV35, Chelyabinsk, USSR
454007 -- (Russia, Br. Commonwealth)
888- MT Igor Mojeiko, Apt. JO, 4a, 1st Mosfilmovsky Pekenlok, Moscow,
USSR H9285 -- (Orders and Decorations)
889 Canberra Coin Club, c/o John M. Adams, President, l6 Rawson
St., Deakin, Act. 2600, - Australia -- (Club Membership)
Changes of Addresses and Collecting Specialties:
823-MT Cpl. Thomas Bennett (405-594-359), 4 SVC BN ADM COY SIG TP., CFPO 5000, 763 Lahr, Schwarzwald, West Germany (British Commonwealth)
748-MT Harry A. Burkhardt, M C R D, Parris Island, S.C. 29905 (World Types)
184-MT Edward C. Griswold, 6038 Richmond Hwy. No. 609, Alexandria,
Va. 22303 -- (World Types)
698-MT Walter J. Grzesczuk, HQ DA USAREUR and J ARMY, 559 ARTY GP,
APO New York 09221 — (World Crowns)
420-MT Walter T- Johnson 39^-36-4011, 66th MI Detachment, Ft. Bliss, Texas 79916 — (Chinese Republic and Orient)
177
Changes of Addresses and Collecting Specialties (Continued):
869-MT Prof. Frank W. Miller, 8l0 S. Elizabeth St., Carbondale, 111.
629OI -- (Medieval, Asiatic Native, Russia, World Paper Money)
827 Charles L. Mitton, 6174 South Magnolia Court, Englewood, Colo. 80110 — (African Coins, World Sets)
605-MT Ray L. Sweeny, P. 0. Box 405, Piedmont, S. C. 29673 (Africa and Asia)
738-MT R. T. Somaiya, Plot No. 2, Shreeji Sadan, Hind Co-operative Housing, Duncan Causeway, Sion, Bombay - 400022, India (India and Indian Native States)
OOOOO
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
The following items have been added to the NI Library and are now available for 30-day loan periods:
Book or Periodical
Mowery, T.E.; "One Cash Coins of China's Manchu Dynasty"
Trowbridge, R. J.; "Maundy Coins of Great Britain"
"Zentrale Muns - Ausstellung der DDR"
"Munze Gesellschaft - Geschichte"
Beierlein, J. B.; "Die Bayerischen Munzen des Hauses Wittelsbach"
Scott, J. W. ; "Coins of the World", 1913 Edition Duyts, F. Den; "Les Anciennes Monnaies"
Donor
Patrick D. Hogan
Granvyl Hulse Klaus Persing Klaus Persing Alfred Szego
Alfred Szego Alfred Szego
A complete new printing of the NI Library List is currently in process. It should come off the press within the next two months. This new printing will be mailed only to those members who specifically request a copy in order to save on printing costs. Further details of the NI Library List will be announced in September or October but in the meantime, if you desire a FREE copy of the list, please drop a note to the regular club mailing address and request that a copy be reserved for you when available.
The listing of the books and library items recently donated by Walter Bezner and Marvin L. Fraley will not be listed in this report due to the large volume. They will be included in the new NI Library List, however.
OOOOO
CURATOR APPOINTED:
In line with the announcement on page 175 of the new tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service for our organization, it has been de- cided that the club will inaugurate a "reference collection" of all material that is donated to the organization. Marvin L. Fraley of Lubbock, Texas has been appointed Curator to catalog and maintain a
178
"reference collection" of all coins that are donated. The collection will consist of all types, dates, mintmarks, varieties, etc. that should become available through donations. Continuous upgrading will be done on the collection whenever duplicates are received.
Anyone desiring to donate coins to the organizatioris "reference col- lection" should send them to the regular mailing address in Dallas and they will forward them at various times to the Curator. Processing through Dallas will be required in order to acknowledge receipt of the items to you for tax purposes.
ooooo
AHA CONVENTION MEETING:
NI will again participate in the American Numismatic Association's annual convention. This 82nd Anniversary Comvention will be held in Boston, Massachusetts August 23-27, 1973* The Sheraton Boston Hotel will be the site of the convention.
NI will have a meeting on Friday, August 24th at 9:00 P.M. in the Clarendon Room of the Sheraton Boston. The speaker for the meeting will be NI Member and ANA President JOHN J. PITTMAN. His subject will be on some aspect of foreign coinage, the title to be announced at the convention.
In addition to the NI meeting at the convention, it is trying to be arranged for a guest exhibit spot in the convention Exhibit Hall to exhibit a number of medals that were donated to NI by various organ- izations in Russia. The medals were given to our representatives who participated in the First Numismatic Study Tour of the U.S.S.R., sponsored by Numismatics International and the Citizens Exchange Corps, from May 31st to June 21st of this year. If NI cannot obtain enough exhibit space at this late date in the Exhibit Hall, the medals will be on display at the NI meeting.
All NI members attending the ANA Convention in Boston are urged to attend this meeting of your organization. It is an excellent oppor- tunity to meet with other members and exchange any ideas you may have for the continuing operation of our organization.
Bruce Donahue (NI 5^3) will be NI's official representative at the convention and has handled the early arrangements for NI. There will be several NI members from the Dallas area in attendance also, includ- ing some members of the Board of Governors.
See you in Boston.
(Note: There will still be a regular meeting of the Dallas Chapter
of NI, as announced on page 174, on Wednesday, August 15th. )
OOOOO
NI's RECENT RUSSIAN TRIP:
A short picture story of the recent Russia Trip sponsored by NI is in- cluded with this issue. In further issues of the NI Bulletin there will be a series of articles dealing with the various coin collections viewed and museums visited. First of these articles will be in next month's issue.
179
BOOK REVIEWS
"Muenzen auf Briefmarken" . Band 1. Europa. 39 pages. Verlag: Buchdruckerei Erich Proeh, 1 Berlin 26. DM 6, — ("Coins on Stamps", Vol. 1: Europe)
A fairly populous specialty of philatelists is "Coins on Stamps".
Also, increasing numbers of coin collectors are finding that the col- lecting of stamps with pictures of coins is an interesting and educational sideline. Most of the coins pictured on stamps are im- portant in the monetary history of the issuing country; many of them are rare, beyond the reach of the average collector; and pictures of coins on stamps are usually clear, showing detail which the typical coin photograph does not show.
Thus both the numismatist and the philatelist have an interest in booklets such as this one. The pictures are large and clear, and an attempt has been made to picture all stamp designs with coins. Medals and paper money on coins are not included.
The numbers of the stamps as given in the 1972 edition of the Michel Europakatalog are listed.
A good knowledge of German is not necessary to read the listings.
But for one who does not know German, a German-English dictionary is necessary. The very last listing, for example, reads:
"2. 70 L MiNr. 395 gleiche Zeichnung"
This refers to a Vatican stamp. "Gleiche Zeichnung1 means "Same Design".
Most users would be happier with this book if it had more words of explanation about the coins. The very first listing is puzzling.
Henri Jaspar, Belgian lawyer and stateman, is shown with an unissued trial coin. But why? What is the reason for such a coin design on this stamp? The stamp catalogs don't say. Neither does this book.
But the listings generally, although sketchy, are considerably more informative than ttose of the stamp catalogs.
Looking through the booklet, one is struck by the lack of represent- ation of Roman coins on stamps, compared with Greek and medieval.
But there are a few Roman ones, and it would be possible to construct a brief history of European coinage illustrated by these stamps.
Presumably Vol. 1 will be followed by others, until stamps of all stamp-issuing countries which depict coins will be covered.
"Muenzen auf Briefmarken" can be obtained in this country for $1. 10 from Beate Rauch, P. 0. Box 60321, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, Calif. 90060.
Reviewed by Ralph S. Walker
180
Concerning...
“A
POSSI BL E OF
NEW COUNTERMARK THAILAND”
by Albert J. Ruh
(Ed. Note: The article being questioned by the author was published
in the June, 1973 issue of the NI Bulletin. )
It appears to me that the arguments presented for attributing the countermarked French Indochina piastre to Thailand are based upon in- correct premises and cannot be considered as any evidence that this coin represents a hitherto unknown legitimate issue of the Siamese Government.
The author's main justification consists of attempting to establish a relationship between one of the countermarks and an old Siamese system of designating values. Overlooked is a crucial point: there is no
value Indicated on the countermark. To identify with the Siamese value notation system, there must be a numerical character in any one or more of the possible locations. For example, a gambling token illustr- ated by LeMay (Plate XXIII, number 13) shows a Siamese "1" in the lower right hand corner, which indicates a value of one fuang (l/8 baht).
If we consider the countermark as a Chinese character, it is apparent that, as it stands, it resembles either of two primitive characters.
The first can be shown as a "+" and represents Shih or ten. The second is written as and represents Wu or five. Therefore, there is a more easily recognized resemblance to a Chinese rather than a Siamese character.
Furthermore, the use of the word "tradition" is rather misleading when applied to the countermarking of coins by the Siamese Government.
Aside from the extremely rare issue of 1858-1860 (LeMay comments upon their rarity on page 65 of his book), I know of no other instance where the government countermarked foreign coins for issue.
There are a number of other factors that are related to the improbability that a countermarked French Indochina piastre was a legitimate issue of the Siamese Government. A few of thse are as follows:
a. In early 1889 the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank was authorized to circulate their banknotes within Thailand (Siam). Al- though the Siamese Government had a banknote issue ready to to circulate as early as 1893, the first major government issue began in 1902 (of a different design). Several other foreign banks were authorized to circulate their notes during the interim. The availability of banknotes would alleviate any possible coin shortage.
b. The present day availability of silver baht coins of the Fifth and Sixth Reigns (Y-3^ and Y-l+5) in Thailand would seem to indicate that the total mintage of these coins was immense.
l8l
c. According to LeMay, in VjOk the bullet coins were demonetized and some 14 million baht were turned over to the Royal Mint for re-coinage. After World War I, when the price of silver rose, the Mint simply adjusted the silver content of the baht coin and began to issue one baht banknotes. It seems that any possible coin shortage would have been circumvented.
d. Finally, the strongest reason for not using the subject coin as a legitimate issue was the political situation in Southeast Asia after 1889. The Thai people have been consistently re- pelled by the history of French colonization in Southeast Asia; even the people of Metropolitan France were. After all, it took almost forty years of slaughter and perfidy for the French to gain control of French Indochina, considered com- plete about 1899. The Siamese tended to ally themselves with Great Britain during this period, and they employed a large number of British as advisors, including the Royal Mint and later Reginald LeMay. Certainly, no one in his right mind would have considered countermarking a French Indochina piastre for government circulation!
If the countermarked piastre was not a legitimate issue of the Siamese Government, the question remains as to what it really is. More than likely it is merely the "chops" of some unknown silver shop that dealt in silver bullion and coins. The other chop does not resemble any character of the Thai alphabet, so it is therefore doubtful that it can be traced to Thailand at all.
The Chinese have been dominant in the gold and silversmithing business of Thailand, and the rest of Southeast Asia, for several centuries.
This practice continues today but is limited to the jewelry locally produced. However, I have several Siamese bullet coins that bear chop marks in addition to the paddy-seed nick mentioned by LeMay.
Thus, any silver shop could have chopped the 1889 French Indochina piastre in Vietnam, Malaya, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, or even China.
Bibliography:
"Journal of the Siam Society", Volumes IX, X, and LX, Bangkok G. William Skinner, "Chinese Society in Thailand", Ithaca, N.Y. 1957 Dr. J. Wieger, S.J. "Chinese Characters", New York, N. Y. 1965 Nicholas Tarling, "A Concise History of Southeast Asia", New York, 1966 G. B. McFarland "Thai-English Dictionary", Stanford, Cal., 19Mt- Edition
Joseph Buttinger, "The Smaller Dragon - A Political History of Vietnam", New York, 1859
Ellen J. Hammer, "The Struggle for Indochina, 1940-1955"> Stanford, 1955
Department of the Army, DA Pam 550 series, "Area Handbook For
Thailand, Burma, Cambodiam Laos, and Malaysia," Washington, D.C., various publishing dates.
182
The First Coins of CZECHOSLOVAKIA
by Ladislav Sin, Rymarov, Czechoslovakia
Along and famous history was ended in 1782. it gave to the world
the denomination known today as the dollar (tolar) and during that period of European coinage the popular gros coin of Praque. The last Czech coins, the copper 1 greschl, were issued in 1782 and the last silver coins in 1780. Afterwards, coins common to the Austrian Hapsburg lands were circulated, followed by coinage of the Austrian-Hungarian types.
After World War I the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was divided up and the Czechoslovak Republic was formed on October 28, 1918. It consisted of the historic countries of the Czech Kingdom: Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia,
Slovakia and Under Carpathian Ruthenia, now Carpathian Ukraine, settled of Slav nations who are kin to the Czechs.
The new Czech State inherited from their Austrian-Hungarian rulers an economy broken by the ravages of war. There was famine throughout the country, all of the commodities and currency of the country had become depreciated. The Czechoslovak government tried hard to restore the economy but throughout the country circulated the coins and currency of the former Austria-Hungarian Empire. The economic situation within Czechoslovakia itself was just a little better than that of her neigh- bors and, as more of the devalued Austrian-Hungarian monies flowed into Czechoslovakia, it resulted in a threat to an alreacfy damaged economy.
As a result, the Czechoslovak government closed all her borders on February 25, 1919 bo curb this flow of these currencies into the country. From March 3rd to 12th a currency reform was effected through- out the country whereby all citizens were to present all of the current circulating currencies which they possessed, half of which was to be stamped with special government stamps of revaluation, while the re- maining half was to be paid to the government in accordance to the currency reform, establishing the first standards of new Czech currency. The reform act was ratified by Act of Parliament on April 10, 1919-
The government stamps became counterfeited and large amounts of counter- feited Austro-Hungarian coins were being circulated within Czechoslov- akia. The Czech government was forced into making plans to issue a currency system of their own.
The first problem was, what monetary standard was to be used for the new coins and banknotes? Among those brought into consideration were HRIVNA, an old Slav name for metal ingots similar to the Mark of the German nations. The HRIVNA was first introduced in Bohemia in 1050, consisting of 210 grams of silver, later increased to 253-17 grams. Another consideration was SOKOL (Falcon). The SOKOL was a gymnastic and sporting association first established in 1862. The association had helped to prepare the Czech nation for a national-liberation struggle. The members of SOKOL comprised the main body of the Czech
183
forces during the first World War who fought against Germany and Austria in Russia, France and Italy.
Other denominations under consideration were: RIP (RIP is a mountain
in Bohemia where the mythologic founder of the natioi) Cech, had decided that he and his people were to remain in Bohemia); LEV (Lion); TOLAR (Dollar); FRANK (Franc) and GROS (Grossus). None of these were ap- proved as the name HALER (Heller or Stotinka) was selected. Pattern pieces exist of 1 SOKOL and 1 RIP, designed by Professor Otakar Spaniel and 5 FRANKU designed by Josef Sejnosta, struck in Vienna. The govern- ment decided the country was to use the existing standard: 1 KORUNA =
100 HALERU.
The Banking Office proclaimed a competition for the designs of new Czechoslovak coins on November l4, 1919* Nine artists judged the proposals and on March 20, 1920 a jury recommended the designs of Professor Otakar Spaniel and Jan Stursa for 20 and 50 HALERU but later passed the design of Professor Spaniel. The National Assembly passed a coinage act for the mintage of small Czechoslovak coins by March 1, 1921 and commissioned the government to give in circulation the first Czechoslovak coins.
The old Czechoslovak porcelain industrialists had proposed that the new coins be struck out of a porcelain composition but their proposal was not approved by the government. A copper-nickel mixture instead was approved for the first 20 and 50 HALERU coins to be issued in 1921.
It was yet to be decided at which of the several famous mints located within the country the new coins would be struck. Of Jachymov, Kutna Hora, Praha (Prague) and Kremnica, the latter was chosen as the new national mint. (When the Czechoslovak army arrived at Kremnica on December 15; 191®; the buildings had been completely emptied of their contents and machinery. The Hungarian Ministry of Finance in Budapest had ordered the removal on November 13, 1918- The entire operation required 50 freight cars to transport the contents back to Budapest in early December, 1918. )
Meanwhile, the Ministry in Slovakia had nominated a director and as- sistant director for the Kremnica Mint who were charged to locate machinery and equipment for the new mint. Machinery was obtained from Paris and Vienna during 1919 and 1920 and was set up for operation by the beginning of January, 1921. In December, 1920 the Kremnica Mint appointed a new director, ing. Demetr Petrovitz.
The first output of coins commenced on January 19; 1921 with a specimen of the 20 HALERU. Actual production of coins began on June 2; 1921 at 10:00 AM; using the metal strips supplied by Sandrik in Dolne Hamre and Ceska Valcovna (Bohemia Rolling-mill) in Povrly. By the end of the year 40, 000, 000 20 HALERU and 3, 000, 000 50 HALERU pieces had been struck and began to be placed into circulation on February l8, 1922. Also, during this same period, the importing of Austrian coins was limited.
The 20 and 50 HALERU pieces were followed by 1 KORUNA issues placed into circulation on May 31; 1922; 10 HALERU on February 17; 1923; 5 HALERU on August 13; 1923; 2 HALERE on March 30; 1924, 5 KORUN on July 25, 1925; 10 KORUN on July 1, 1931; 25 HALERU on March 2, 1933 and 20 KORUN on March 22, 1934. The one and two DUKATY (Ducats) were issued on October 23, 1923-
184
All Austrian-Hungarian coins were recalled from circulation on December 5> 1924.
This was the beginning of Czechoslovak modern coins, however keep in mind that the first Czech coins were struck in the first part of the 10th century.
At the Dallas meeting on July l8th a packed house enjoyed a two hour report on the recently completed Russian trip by Irving Berlin, Andy Anderson and Elmore Scott. Wives Ann Berlin and Kay Scott also reported on some of the feminine aspects of the highly successful trip. The trio of travelers presented numerous color slides and gave a very comprehensive report of the trip.
The tour, dubbed "The First Numismatic Study Exchange with the USSR", was completed on June 21st and is currently being given wide coverage in two popular numismatic publications. The weekly "Coin World" news- paper started running a continued series of articles on July l8th authored by Russ Rulau, a participant on the tour. The monthly "World Coins Magazine" will have a special edition on Russia this month and will give wide coverage to the NI tour.
On the following pages some selected photographs covering highlights of the tour are shown. This pictorial article will be followed up by more detailed articles concerning the various collections and museums viewed and visited by the tour group. The first of these articles should be ready for publication in the September issue of this bulletin.
Members of NI desiring to support some type of an annual numismatic tour abroad are urged to write us with your suggestions for 1974.
185
Prof. Kereshkovski (with back to camera,) lectures the group on the history of coinage in a Black Sea Litoral at the Odessa Museum of Archaeology. 1st row: Irv Berlin, Elizabeth Valkenier. 2nd row:
Rose Bergelin, Prof. Olaf Bergelin, William Spengler, Bob Gagnon.
3rd row: Curator, Bob Julian, "Andy" Anderson (behind Gagnon). 4th
row: Charles Blackburn (behind curator), Emil Ilko (behind Anderson).
Just prior to a trading session with members of the Odessa Coin Club. Seated on the sofa are two members of the Odessa Coin Club. Standing: Guide Larissa and President of the club, Valentine Yedidovitch.
I
186
Street Scene in Bukhara
David Block goes "native" in local Uzbek costume in Bukhara.
187
Street scene in the Old Quarter of Samarkand near the Shahi Zinda Mosque
188
Session of examining coins at the Institute of Archaeology in Samarkand. Clockwise: Irv Berlin (with back to camera), Prof. Olaf Bergelin,
Guide Irina, Dr. Tamara Emazorava (Numismatic Curator), Elizabeth Valkenier, "Andy" Anderson.
189
<
Afrasiab Excavation north of Samarkand which dates back to Alexander the Great.
Irv Berlin presenting commemorative trip medal, on behalf of NI, to the USSR Philatelic Society in the national offices of the society (numismatics is included in the USSR Philatelic Society). From left to right: NI member William F. Spengler, Anatoly I. Kachinskii (Vice-
President of the USSR Philatelic Society), Charles "Hal" Blackburn (Coin Pealer) and Irv Berlin. The society is located in Moscow.
000O000
190
GOLD AND SILVER COINS OR THE BAHMANI SHAHS OP GULBARGA by Richard K. Bright
Having written of the history of Gulbarga and given the de- tails of the copper coins of this dynasty in earlier articles in this bulletin (Jan. and March, 1973)* this article will cover the coins struck in gold and silver. The silver coins are moderately scarce though still reasonably priced, when available, while the gold coins could be considered rare as, at most, only a few have been recorded of each type and they are seldom offered on the market.
The first ruler, Bahman Shah, AD 1 3^4-7 —1 3 58, is not known to have struck coins in gold but issued silver coins in the weights of a tankah (about ll.lgms.) and its fractions of 1/6th and 1/1 2th and, as with his copper coins, they are sim- ilar in appearance to the comparable coins of the Sultans of Delhi at the start of the 1i+.th century. While he was minting in silver, the contemporary Delhi Sultans had virtually stop- ped using this metal for coins because of its scarcity in their area. H. Nelson Wright, writing in 1936, states that only four tankahs were known at that time struck by the Del- hi Sultan Piruz Shah III, AD 1351-1388 and his predecessor, Muhammad III, AD 1 325-1 35^ , struck only sparingly in silver, apparently during the beginning of his reign. Instead these rulers made widespread use of low grade silver or billon coins which was an unfortunate practice that the Bahmani Shahs wisely resisted. The last Delhi Sultan to strike the 1/1 2th tankah was Piruz II, AD 1290-1296 and the last to issue the 1/6th tankah was Mubarak I, AD I3I6-I32O.
Muhammad Shah I, AD 1358-1375* issued silver coins of the same weights as Bahman Shah plus h and ^ tankahs and insti- tuted the mohur or gold tankah of the same weight as the silver piece. The relationship between the two is believed to have been 20 silver tankahs equal to one of gold. A sec- ond type of gold coin in the name of this ruler is known in the dates AH 763 and 778 and weighs 12.7 grams. It is be- lieved that this heavy mohur or dinar of the second date was struck posthumously by his successor, Mujahid Shah, AD 1 375- 1378, as its date is two years after Muhammad is thought to have died. Mujahid as well as Piruz Shah, AD 1 397-11j-22, also struck these dinars and these three types plus a tankah weight 'dinar' of Humayun Shah, AD 1 1(-5T —1 are the only precious metal Bahmani coins where the AH date is written out in Persian words rather than given in numerals at the bottom, either in or without an exergue, and usually on the reverse .
After the time of Muhammad Shah I, the only fractional tan- kahs were those struck by Muhammad Shah II, AD 1378*1397* in the weight of The fractional tankahs are certainly much scarcer than the full weight coins. The only four repre- sented in the 270 silver coins in Khan's catalogue of the coins in the Andhra Pradesh Government Museum is a % tankah of Muhammad Shah II and three \ tankahs of Muhammad Shah I. About one-third of the silver coins in the museum's collec- tion were struck by Piruz Shah while another third combined are coins of Muhammad Shah I and Muhammad Shah II. As an
191
idea of the metallic makeup of a large collection, the mu- seum also has ten gold and 502 copper coins of the state.
Gold and silver were struck regularly, if sparingly, up through the reign of Mahmud Shah, AD 1 482-1 51 8, with the ex- ceptions that Ahmad Shah I, AD 1422-1436* struck no gold and Ahmad Shah III, AD 1 14.6I -1 J4.63, struck neither gold nor silver. Copper coins only were struck from about 1495 to 1526 when the dynasty was extinguished.
Silver and gold were struck at the Ahsanabad mint to AH 827 (AD 1423) from which time the capital and mint were moved to Muhammadabad. A few silver tankahs of Muhammad Shah I were struck at a mint in Fathabad.
In the following listing, the coins are given numbers con- sistent with those in my previous articles on the copper coins of this state so as to facilitate a possible amalga- mation at some later date.
K-
5-
6.
I. BAHMAN SHAH, 1347-1358 SILVER
1/12 Tankah. 0.97gms.; 11.4mm* Undated. Type as 1/5. 1/6 Tankah. 1.7gms.; 14*0mm. Undated.
o UiL*J '/
(y j M Wc *ks. V/
<yf. jJ/ 5
Al-Sultan al-A'^am 'Ala ud-dunya wa ud-din
"The sultan, the supreme, the glory of the world and the Faith."
j* kj/ 9-*, i fL 1 y-o-6-'. 1
o UJL^JI
Abu al-Muzaffar Bahman Shah al-Sultan
"Father of the conqueror, the Sultan Bahman Shah."
Tankah. 1 0 . 8-1 1 . Ogms . ; 24*0-27. 9mm.
Known dates: AH 755-760 Mint: Ahsanabad.
In a double square in a circle.
ijj UJlj
0 dj> Mi-11 cn-*v.
Sikandar al-thanl Yamln al-Khilafat Nasir amir al-mu 'min in
"The second Alexander, right hand of the Cal- iph, defender of the commander of the faith- ful . "
In a circle.
(tJax y/ \^LLLuJ/
c* jJ! !) U >jJI Xc
oUJUl
Al-Sultan al-A'zam 'Ala ud-dunya wa ud-din Abu al-Mugaffar Bahman Shah al-Sultan
"The sultan, the supreme, the glory of the world and the Faith, father of the conqueror, the Sultan Bahman Shah."
Obverse margin legend reading clockwise starting at the left:
192
( date ) / j i ^ ^ y-J>
AH date / Ahaanabad / bi-Hazrat / zarb "Struck at the court of Ahaanabad, (date)."
6.
7.
II. MUHAMMAD SHAH I, 1 358-1 375
1 /i 2 Tankah. II/7.
1/6 Tankah.
r Ll>
dj / J
1.03gma.; 10.2-1 1 .l|»un. Undated.
1.5gms.; 14-Omm. Undated.
j-iMi-oJl /
Type a a
Panah din Allah
Abu al-Muzaffar Muhammad Shah
"Refuge in God' a faith." "Father of the conqueror,
Muhammad Shah."
8.
9.
10.
10a.
4 Tankah. 3.5gms. Type aa 11/11 (V).
^3 Tankah. 7-2gma.; 21 .6-22. 8mm. Type aa 11/11.
Tankah. 10.6-11 .Ogma. ; 24.8-26. 2mm.
Known date3: AH 760-62, 764-65, 771-77* Mint: Ahaana-
abad.
o UjJI f
In a square in a circle. j Q. t /
O-i f
V UJLjJ! trL&
Sultan al-'Ahd wa al- zaman hami millat raaul al-Rahman
"The aultan, teatifier of proof, the prophet of the age, the merciful."
Abu al-Mujaffar Muhammad Shah bin
Bafiman Shah al-Sultan
•
"Father of the conqueror, Muhammad Shah, son of Sultan Bahman Shah."
Reverae margin legend aa on obverae of 1/6.
Tankah. 1 0 . 6-1 0 . 9gma . ; 25.4~27.2mm. Type aa 11/10. Known datea: AH 761-62, 765. Mint: jLaJLp Fathabad.
GOLD
11. Mohur. 1 0 . 9-1 1 .Ogma . ; 20. 6-22. 6mm. Known datea: AH 763, 775, 776.
In aquare area,
if LLU~
oLo
Sultan al-'ahd wa al- zaman Abu al-Muzaffar
"The aultan, teatifier of proof, father of the conqueror. "
In aquare area.
\/V v
Muhammad Shah al-Sulfan bin al-Sul^an. Date below.
"Sultan Muhammad Shah, aon of the aultan. Date."
193
12. Dinar. I2.7gms.; 20.3mm. during the next reign. Known dates: AH 763, 778.
Obverse as 11/10.
Second date probably struck
Mint: Ahsanabad.
In a circle.
CH-v
Muhammad Hasan Bahmani. Reverse circular margin legend:
'k, iLLi^/ *!>,**£>
Zarb haza ud-dxnar fl Hazrat Ahsanabad sanah saman wa saba'In wa saba'mayat
"This dinar was struck at the court of Ahsanabad in the year 8 and 70 and 700 (AH 778).
III. MUJAHID SHAH, 1375-78 SILVER
2. Tankah. 10.8-11 .Ogms. ; 26.7mm.
Known dates: AH 778-79. Mint: Ahsanabad.
In a square in a circle. jJJJ JL, yjl
fiJl /
Al-Muwayyld bi-nasir Allah yamln al-Khilafat Kasir amir al-mu'minin
"The strenpthener of the defender of Allah, right hand of the Caliph, de- fender of the commander of the faithful."
pdi£ yi CrUiLjl t rt jj! $ tyjj) Uc ->4 if Si LLJly-1 o LLL~JI
Al-Sultan al-A'jjam 'Ala uddunya wa ud-din Abu al- Mughazi Mujahid Shah al- Sultan
"The sultan, the supreme, the glory of the world and the Faith, father of battle, the Sultan Mujahid Shah."
Obverse margin legend aa on 1/6.
GOLD
3. Dinar. I2.1).gms.; 25.4Jram"
Known dates: AH 777. Mint:
u iSLvJl
JJo fJic y /
<JU)l <> &Jt
Al-Sultan al-A'gam _jul Allah fl al-'Alam
"The sultan, the supreme, shadow of God in the world . "
Reverse margin legend as
Ahsanabad.
In a circle.
UJ jl Jl Us.
is° <i 3 ^CLLlJI
'Ala ud-dunya wa ud-din Mujahid Shah al-Sultan
"Glory of the world and of the Faith, the Sultan Mujahid Shah."
11/12 but date reads:
194
<=0 3 5
aaba' wa saba'In wa saba'mayat
"7 and 70 and 700 (AH 777)."
IV. MUHAMMAD SHAH II, 1378-1397 SILVER
h Tankah. 3.58gms.; 15.7mm. Undated (V).
cr* ^ / a J \jU y/ s y*-k+Jl y 1
Zo al-Amn wa al-Aman Abu al-Muzaffar
"Prom his safety and tranquility. Father of the conqueror."
Tankah. 1 0 . 1 -1 1 .Ogms . ; 25.4~30.5mm. Known dates: AH 7'
Mint: Ahsanabad.
Muhammad Shah al-Sultan
"The Sultan Muhammad Shah."
31-82, 784, 78b, 792-99.
on jj\ U!
(j-° lx** o 6*a^/
vLj y/J-6 V
Al-Nasir ud-dln ud- deyan al-Haml alahl al-Iman
"Defender of the Faith of the Requitor. The de- fender of the people of the True Faith."
Reverse margin legend as on obverse of 1/6.
In a square in a circle. jl its $3" / yM
JeJu)! y1 u LLU / tb ^
Al-Wathiq beta'Id al-Rahman Abu al-Muj$affar Muhammad Shah al-Sultan
"The truster in the support of the Merciful One, father of the conqueror. The Sul- tan Muhammad Shah."
GOLD
4. Mohur. 1 0 .8-1 0 . 9gms . ; 21 Known dates: AH 796-98.
j-*l J t (jlZjLvj/
uUcJ! tJjL
Al-MuqtafI bi-awamir al- Raljman, al-Mustashid billah al-Mannan
"The follower of the commands of the Compas- sionate One. A seeker of God's beneficence."
6-22. 8mm.
i I J “i k? )/y. / y/
oLhbJl tb
Al-Nasir al-Awyat al- Ahsan’abu al-Mu^affar Muhammad Shah al-Sultan Date below.
"The defender of the stand- ards of the Benevolent One. Father of the conqueror, the Sultan Muhammad Shah." Date.
195
V. TAHMATATJ SHAH, 1397
SILVER AH 799.
Tankah. Known dates:
yl viy
Vi. jJI j U \i> Lx
Al-Mustathiq Billah al- Hanan Abu Muzaffar Ghl- ya.s ud-dunya wa ud-dln
"The established by God, the shield, the father of the conqueror. The as- sister of the world and the Faith."
In a square.
\y-y UlUJI
i y
fahmatan Shah al-Sultan bin al-Sultan
"The Sultan Tahmatan Shah, son of the Sultan.
Reverse margin legend probably as on obverse of 1/6.
VI. GAUD SHAH, 1397 Tankah. 10.9gms. ; 26. 7mm.
Known dates: AH 799.
L I
j-ikj! yJoUs*!
Vi jjl 5 iyxJl 12**'*'**'
Al-Mustathiq Billah al- ii an an Abu al -Muzaffar Shams ud-dunya wa ud-dln
"The established by God, the shield, the father of the conqueror. The sun of the world and the Faith. "
: Ahsanabad.
In a square.
S j /j
vsy LLL*Jl <1/ Ual^^j/
Daud Shah al- Sul fan bin al-Sultan
"The Sultan Daud Shah, son of the Sultan."
Reverse margin legend probably as on obverse of 1/6.
VII. FIRUZ SHAH, 1 397-1422
Tankah. 10.9gms.; 26.7mm.
Known dates: AH 800. Mint: Ahsanabad.
vL)Jl g
yy (Xf y'/ y !
Sultan al-’Ahd wa al-za- man * al-Wathiq bita'id al- Rahman
"The sultan, testifier of proof, the truster in the support of the Merciful One . "
In a square in a circle.
c\xJUkJIy.l
UJi jjl iy xJl r& J ssi-t
o LkLJt
Abu al-Mugaffar Taj ud- dunya wa ud-dln Flruz Shah al-3ulfan
"Father of the conqueror, crown of the world and the Faith, the Sultan Firuz Shah. "
196
Reverse margin legend as on the obverse of 1/6
5.
6.
4.
Tankah. 10. 3-11 .Ogms. ; 23.6-32.9min.
Known dates: AH 800, 802-08, 811-20, 822-25.
Mint: Ahsanabad.
ty LbLsc*' o' A jJ / 9 ^JcJ/ e/*-= jJIxjSUL' £>'/y/
^ 1
Sultan al-'Ahd wa al-za- man " al-Wathiq bita'ld al-
Rahman Abu al-Muzaffar
• «
"The sultan, testifier of proof, the truster in the support of the Merciful One, father of the Con- queror. "
Reverse margin legend as
In a square in a circle. Ly ~)Jl £T 6* jJrTr* 3
yyLU~Jl
Taj ud-dunya wa ud-din Plruz Shah al-Sultan
"Crown of the world and of the Faith, the Sultan Firuz Shah."
on the obverse of 1/6.
GOLD
Dinar. I2.6gras.; 25.4mm. Known dates: AH 800. Mint:
Vo/ / i JLa ^ tJUlyldJJ
/$ <J V
s ju*r* /
dj j 3
Ashhad an la ilah ilia Allah, wahdah al-sharik- 1 lahu, wa ashhad an Mu- hammad ’ abduhu wa rasulahu
"I testify that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and prophet.
Ahsanabad.
In a circle.
Ad ip’ Ls-IL
tv I U-fc-o j'J ^ j , ^
Al-Wathiq beta'id al- Rahman Abu al-Muzaffar Firuz Shah al-Sulfan
"The truster in the sup- port of the Merciful One, father of the conqueror, the Sultan Firuz Shah."
Reverse margin legend as on 11/12 but date reads:
P UJ> Uf
samanmayat (AH 800.)
VIII. AHMAD SHAH I, 1422-1435 SILVER
Tankah. 1 0. 9-1 1 .Ogms . ; Known dates: AH 826-27.
(_y l
^ U! Jj LJI J j txJI (S j /» t_JI fj/oti ->JI O' xJ!
.7-29. 2mm.
Mint: Ahsanabad.
In oval area. cst! jJI jJ! '•-s 'dsLLLjl fLu JUvia /
197
!|.a .
Al-Sulfan al-'Adil al- Bazil al-Nasir ud-din ud- deyan Abu ai-MughazI
"The sultan, the just, the munificent, the defender of the Faith of the Re- quitor, father of battle."
Reverse margin legend.
At top: o- yvajS-1.
At bottom: a f'l J {■ /c*«**a/
Tankah. Known dates: AH i
Type as VUI/t). but mint re
Shihab ud-dunya wa ud- din Ahmad Shah al -Sul fan
"Bright star of the world and the Faith, the Sultan Ahmad Shah."
Zarb be-Hajrat (date) Ahsanabad 28-29.
ds Muhammadabad.
IX. AHMAD SHAH II, 1435-1457
1 0 . 8-1 1 . 1 gms . ; 22. 8-33. Omm. dates: AH 838, 844-45, 847, 850, 852, 856-61.
Muhammadabad.
5. Tankah Known Mint:
&JJ u-b J&1 c_r
it ** **
Al-Sultan al-Hallm al- Karim al-Rauf 'All 'Abad Allah al-Ghanl al-Muhey- mani
"The sultan, the defender, the generous, the kind to the servants of Allah, the rich, the confiding
__ _ IT
In a square in a circle,
>4 j-Q-kvJI 5V /
JliUjJI
Abu al-Mugaffar 'Ala ud- dunya wa ud-din Ahmad_Shah bin Ahmad Shah al-Wall al- Bahmani
"Father of the conqueror, glory of the world and of the Faith, Ahmad Shah, son of Ahmad Shah, the pious, the Bahmani."
obverse of 1/6 but
Reverse margin legend as on the mint as on VIII/4a.
6. Mohur. ll.Ogms.; 20.6mm. Known dates: AH 853* 855*
uv UiL* 1
p LL^y! ^ ^Jill J j UJ/ s J^ueJlc?-* us £**o w 3
Sultan al-Qawiyl al-Islam ma' al-Fazle wa al-'Adil
wa al-Ahsan
•
"The sultan, strong in the Faith of Islam, with ex- cellence and justice and benevolence . "
GOLD
86X. Mint: Muhammadabad.
In a square in a circle.
3^. /
\itf ju'/j Lfy yj /
Ju*s / ijM tUl' 1
v LLLJ/
Abu al-Muzaffar 'Ala ud- dunya wa ud-din Ahmad Shah bin Ahmad Shah al-Sultan
"Father of the conqueror, glory of the world and of the Faith, Ahmad Shah, son of Ahmad Shah."
198
7
Reverse margin legend as on IX/5.
Mohur. Il.lgms.; 20.3mm. Type as IX/5 but only the date in the reverse margin at the bottom.
Known dates: AH 860(v). Written ./\^ .
X. HUMAYUN SHAH, 1457-1461 SILVER
5. Tankah. 1 1 .0-1 1 .1 gms . ; 25.4”33*0mm*
Known dates: AH 862-64. Mint: Muhammadabad.
In a square.
Crf jJ! j LJ j J! Jkt
irU; ju-n/ cr1.
jJ /
'Ala ud-dunya wa ud-din Hunayun Shah bin Ahmad Shah bin Ahmad ShaA al- Walx al-3a]imanl
"Glory of the world and of the Faith, Humayun Shah, son of Ahmad Shah, son of Ahmad Shah, the pious, the Bahmani."
Reverse margin legend as on IX/5-
GOLD
6. Mohur. Il.lgms.; 20.8mm. Type as X/5 but only the date in the reverse margin at the bottom.
Known dates: AH 862.
7. Dinar(';). I0.4gms.; 26.6mm. The tentative reading of the margin legend states that this coin is a dinar but the weight is light, even for a mohur.
Known dates: AH 86X. Mint: Muhammadabad (?).
j *JJ Reverse as X/5.
/* ^ L
-£J (j / erf -yjl
Jf
(fylUl l r*
cf j UJl
Al-Mutawakkil 'All Allah al-Qawi al-Ghanl Abu al- Mughazi
"Trusting in Allah, the strong, the rich, the father of battle."
Al-mabmid Allah rabbu al- 'alamin, al-rahman, al- rahlm. Salk yum ud-din ayk na'bd wa'ayk nasta'In al-Hadba
"Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Benefi- cient, the Merciful One, Master of the day of requittal. Thee do we serve and Thee do we be- seech for help. Guide us."
199
The very tentative reverse margin legend probably reads, starting at the top:
LoJ Lmj' y *-*■**' ' 1 ' J j £ / a— ( }-iJ o j L> jl J\j L w*
Zarb haza / ud-dinar bi-Hazrat / Muhammadabad (':) /
. . . satin wa samanmayat
"This dinar was struck at the court of Muhammadabad (V)
. . . 60 and 800 (AH 86X)."
The reporter of this coin read the mint as Ahsanabad but during the reign of Humayun Shah and for many years before, Muhammadabad was the mint and "court" of the Bahmanis .
8.
XII. MUHAMMAD SHAH III, 1 46 3-1 482 SILVER
Tankah. 1 0 .8-1 1 . 1 gms. ; 22.k-25.Limm.
Known dates: AH 87I , 874, 876-78, 880, 886.
Mint: Muhammadabad.
jJS'kj! y. /
In a square in a circle, cV S’ Li
iLXJ
d5uL> xJjx
Al-Mu'tasim Billah abu al-Muzaffar Shams ud- dunya wa ud-din
"Relying in Allah, fath- er of the conqueror, sun of the world and of the Faith."
Muhammad Shah bin Humayun Shah al-Sultan Khalad malikah.
"Muhammad Shah, son of Hunayun Shah, the sultan, may his kingdom be perpetuated . "
Reverse margin legend as on IX/'5.
9.
11 .
GOLD
Mohur. ll.Ogms.; 19.0mm. Type as XII/8. Known dates: AH 868, 873, 877-79, 88X.
XIII. MAHMUD SHAH, 1482-1518 SILVER
Tankah. 1 0 . 9-1 1 .1 gms . ; 23. 4-25 • 4mm.
Known dates: AH 887-88. 890-91. 897. 89(91).
Mint: Muhammadabad.
cr^- fii-oJ !
t j-JjU! t s jJUlillI
{•die VI O (JJLaJ!
Al-Mutawakkil 'All Allah al-QawI al-Ghanl al-Sul- tan al-'Azam
• ••
In a square in a circle.
C/- j U+Jf 9* t irLi >5°^
Abu al-MughazI Mahmud Shah bin Muhammad Shah al-Wall al-Bahmanl
200
"Trusting in Allah, the "Father of battle, Mahmud strong, the rich, the Shah son of Muhammad Shah,
sultan, the supreme." the pious, the Bahmani."
Reverse margin legend as on IX/5.
GOLD
12. Mohur. I0.7gms.; 25.4mm. Type as XIII/11.
Known dates: AH 889, 891, 895» 898.
REFERENCES
Khan, Abdul Wall; "Bahmani Coins in the Andhra Pradesh Government Museum, Hyderabad", 1964- Wright, H. Nelson; "The Coinage and Metrology of the Sultans of Delhi", 1936.
Gibbs, James; "Gold and Silver Coins of the Bahmani Dynasty" Num. Chron., v. 1 (1881), pp. 91-115- Gibbs, James; "On Some Rare and Unpublished Coins of the
Pathan and Mogul Dynasties of Delhi"; Num. Chron., v. 1 (1885), PP- 213-228.
Codrington, 0; "Coins of the Bahmani Dynasty"; Num. Chron.,
v. 1 (1898), pp. 259-273-
Thanawala, Framjee, Jamasjee; "Some Rare Silver and Copper Coins of the Bahmani Kings of Gulbarga of Ahsanabad"; J.A.S.B., Article 62, Num. Supp. V (1909) pp. 309-15- Whittel, H. M.; "The Coins of the Bahmani Kings of Kulbarga" J.A.S.B., Article 234, Num. Supp. XXXVII (1923)
pp. 22-38.
Singhal, C. R.; "A Rare Muhr of Nizam Shah Bahmani"; J.N.S.I v. I (1939).
Tarapore, P. S.; "Some Rare Bahmani and Mughul Coins";
J.N.S.I., v. XI, part II (1949) pp. 154-157.
Tarapore, P. S.; "Is the Name Tahmatan or Bahman Shah Found on the coins of Ghiyasuddin Shah of the Bahmani Dynasty?"; J.N.S.I., v. XVI, part II (1954) PP- 256-9. Tarapore, P. S.; "Some Rare Coins in My Cabinet"; J.A.S.B., Article 31 3, Num. Supp. XLIV (1933) PP- 23-26.
Ismail, Muhammad; "Note on a Gold Coin of 'Alaud Din
Humayun Shah Zallm Bahmani"; J.A.S.B., Article 264,
Num. Supp. XXXIX (1925) PP- 47-48.
201
IV/4 Reverse
202
XIII/11
»
203
MEMBER NOTICE PAGE
Milt Blackburn, P.Q. Box 8pl4, Station "L", Vancouver l4, B.C., Canada: EGYPTIAN COINS WANTED - 1800-1930- Special needs: Y2a, 3a, 9a, A17,
B17, l8a, 47, 60, 74, 79* Tunis and Sudan also wanted. Southern Rho- desian coins before 1937 wnated. Special needs: l/2d. 1936; 3d. 1939,
6d. 1945; 1 shilling 1940, 4l; 2 shillings 1954,46,54; l/2 crown 1956.
To ascertain its relative scarcity I would like to know how many col- lectors have the 1936 l/2 penny.
THIS PAGE IS FREE TO ALL NI MTMBERS. NO "FOR SALE" ADS ARE ACCEFTED.
OMISSION IN "PISANELLO, PAINTER AND MEDALLIST" ARTICLE LAST MONTH:
Author William B. Warden, Jr. noted an omission in his article "Pisa- nello, Painter and Medallist" printed on pages 160-166 of the NI Bulle- tin last month. The second listing on page l6l should have read:
FILIPPO MARIA VISCONTI, Duke of Milan, 1412-47-
Obverse: Bust of the Duke to right, in tall soft cap. Around,
PHLLIPFVS MARIA ANGLVS DVX MEDIOLANI ETCETERA PAPIE ANGLERIE QVE COMES AC GENVE DOMINVS.
Reverse: OPVS PISANI PICTORIS The Duke in full armour riding to
left and holding jousting lance; on the right a mounted knight facing, and a mounted page seen from behind.
Lead, 102 mm. PLATE II, NO. 3
The Duke is called "Anglus" after a mythical ancestor of the Visconti,
eponym of Angera on Lago Maggiore. He keeps the title of Lord of
Genor, although he lost the place in 1435-
NUMISMATIC VIGNETTE
In 1865, Belgium, Italy, France and Switzerland agreed to a plan to mint gold coins according to established specifications - in order to facilitate the interchange of money across each other's borders. The specification for the 20 franc (20 lire in Italy; 20 franc in France, Belgium and Switzerland) coin required uniformity in fineness, weight and diameter. These were: fineness 900 or 21.6 carats, weight
6.45l6l grams gross including 5.80644 grams of gold, and diameter of 21 mm.
These countries who were party to this agreement became known as "The Latin Monetary Union". It was in this time frame that Poland became part of this Union and the 1925 20 zlotych gold piece conformed to these specifications.
submitted by Henry W. Schab
204