Type No. 2. There is a subordinate class of coins, following the devices of Type No. 1 (in size vii. and upwards), struck from less expanded dies, and generally of very inferior execution in the outlining of the letters. These are also from the mint of Muazamábád, and سبعو سبعماية و ثمانو سعو are dated in bangled and almost illegible words ,which may be designed to stand for 770 odd ثما ثما واحد وثما ثما 778, 780, and 781 respectively. No. 35. Fírúzábád, A. H. 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799. Type No. 3. Size, viii. to viii. Weight, 166 grs. Plate II. fig. 15, Obverse, scalloped diamond field; broad margin. السلطان الأعظم المويد بتائيد الملك الرحمن Obverse Margin هذة السكة بقصبة فيروزاباد سنة ثلاث وتسعين وسبعماية Reverse Margin, The Reverse marginal records vary in the prefix to the name of the في حضرة المباركة and في حضرة mint from the Kasbah above given being occasionally used. No. 36. Satgaon, A. H. 795, 798. Variety A. Type No. 4. No. 37. Satgaon, A. H. 790, 795, 796. Obverse, area, a square, with a looped semicircle at each of the sides, forming a kind of amalgamation of the margin with the central device. Reverse, area, a four-pointed star-shaped lozenge; the outside spaces being filled in with the marginal legend. The singular orthography adopted in the rendering of the term Abdallah, and the substitution of an initial | alif in lieu of the grammatical ain, affords another instance of the ignorance of the local mint officials, and their tendency to reproduce the approximate sounds of words, without regard to the true powers of the letters employed. ع A vacant space in the final setting up of this article invites me to extend it so far as to notice a limited series of coins which have hitherto been erroneously associated with the mintages of Bengal proper,—I allude to the money of Táj-ud-dín Fírúz, whose date has, in like manner, been misapprehended by Marsden (p. 575), and by Mr. Laidlay, who follows his interpretation (J. A. S. B. xv. p. 330). The subjoined examples will show that the supposed date of 897 A. H. should be 807; and the consecutive numbers on the different coins now cited establish the fact that the potentate whose name they bear reigned at least from 804 to 823, having a capital entitled Hájíábád, which may with sufficient reason be identified with the Hájípúr of modern nomenclature. The introductory piece A. seems to have been issued by Táj-ud-dín's predecessor, and their several mintages alike depart from the ordinary style of Bengal coinages in the phraseology and finished execution of the Arabic legends, as well as in the weights of their currencies, which approximate closely to the full Dehli standard, in contrast to the reduced southern range of 166 grains. A. Silver. Size, vii. Weight, 165 grs. Unique. A. H. 797. B. Silver. Size from vi to viii. Weight, 168 grs., the full and sustained weight of several specimens. Reverse, square area, with imperfect marginal records, usually con -with the figured dates at the foot, rang ضرب حضرت حاجيا باد sisting of ing onwards from 804 to 807 [Marsden], 810, 813, 814, 818, 819, 820, 822, and 823 a. H. These coins are chiefly from the collection of the late Sir R. Jenkins, but have now passed into Colonel Guthrie's possession. Among other rare and unpublished coins, having more or less connexion with the progress of events in Bengal, I may call attention to the subjoined piece of Shír Shah (C.), which seems to mark his final triumph over Humáyún in 946 A. H. and his own assumption of imperial honours in Hindustán. The gold coin (D.) is of interest, as exhibiting the model from whence Akbar derived one of his types of money, which Oriental authors would have us believe were altogether of his special origination, even as they attribute so many of Shir Shah's other admirable fiscal and revenue organizations to his Moghul successor. In coin E. we follow the spread of Shír Shah's power northwards to the ancient capital of the Patháns, and the piece F. illustrates the retention of the family sway over the other extreme of the old dominion. C. Silver. Size, vil. Weight, 163 grs. A. H. 946. Well executed Western characters. السلطان العادل المويد بتائيد الرحمن فريد الدنيا و الدين ,Obverse ابو المظفر شیر شاہ سلطان خلد الله ملكه وسلطانه و ۹۴ ,Reverse D. Gold. Square coin. Weight, 168 grs Unique. (R. J. Obverse, the Kalimah. شير شاه سلطان خلد الله ملكة ,Reverse At the foot, श्रीमेर साह. E. Silver. Size, vii. Weight, 168 grs. Dehli. لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله .Obverse, Square area A. H. 948. Margin, the names and titles of the four Imáms. Reverse, Square area. ۹۴۸ السلطان شیر شاه خلد الله ملکه At the foot, खोसोरी साह ضرب بحضرت دهلي Margin F. Silver. Size, viii. Weight,? Satgáon, A. II. 951 (from the collection of the late G. H. Freeling, Bengal C. S.) اسلام شاه ابن شیر شاه سلطان خلد الله ملكه سلطانه و اعلي امره و شانه Circular area, Margin, جلال الدنيا والدين ابو المظفر ضرب ستكانو ۹۵۱ |