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Princely States: Kutch - silver ½ rupee of Rao Lakhpatji I (regent 1741-1752, ruler 1752-1760), stru

Currency:INR Category:Coins & Paper Money / Indian Coins - Princely States Start Price:NA Estimated At:450,000.00 - 550,000.00 INR
Princely States: Kutch - silver ½ rupee of Rao Lakhpatji I (regent 1741-1752, ruler 1752-1760), stru
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Kutch - silver ½ rupee of Rao Lakhpatji I (regent 1741-1752, ruler 1752-1760), struck in the name of Ahmad Shah Durrani, AH 1169/RY 9, DR-K 101.1, 5.68g. Obv: Couplet of Ahmad Shah Durrani Hukm shud Qadar az bechun ba Ahmad Badshah / Sikka zad bar Seem wa Zar az Awj Mahi ta ba-Mah with date 1169. Rev:Persian legend Zarb Bhujnagar sanah 9 within circle, Devnagari legend around Miraja Raja Maharau Shri Lakhpati separated by a Trident.

Centrally struck, Uncirculated with luster, Extremely rare.

This coin is a highly unusual piece of the Numismatic history of Kutch. The reign of Lakhpatji I was marked by peace and prosperity. However, the political picture across India was very different at this time – the ambitions of Ahmad Shah Durrani the Afghan ruler were threatening North India. His expedition to upper Sindh in 1752 had already sounded alarm bells in Kutch.

Probably as a measure to pacify the highly fearful Shah, Lakhpatji resorted to strike coins in his name, thereby nominally acknowledging his sovereignty. It is interesting to note that the dates on these ceremonial coins is AH1169 which is a year in advance of Ahmad Shah's 4th invasion of India in which he occupied Delhi. Perhaps, Lakhpatji was being very cautious about the Shah's intentions, which is a rare instance of political wisdom shown by a weak but prosperous ruler in view of an impending crisis.