Sikh Coins and History

Mai Harinder Kaur · #1 (**permalink**) 07-Oct-2009, 11:53 AM

Sikh Coins

First she picked up the first coin, the one from the Amritsar mint in the days of the Sikh Empire. The Sikh Empire! Nobody messed with the Sikhs in those days. This one was minted in 1818, nearly two centuries ago.

They said that this one was minted in 1837 in the Amritsar mint. Might the great Maharaj Ranjit Singh have actually held this very coin? She giggled a bit. It was highly unlikely that he would have. Still, who knows? Holding it, even just looking at it made her feel a part of its history. It was something real, tangible that tied her to a proud history. (Oops! I goofed. This coin was minted long before the reign of the good and great Maharajah Ranjit Singh. Still the same feelings, though. He could have held it, but probably didn't. Please read the first comment below. Thanks ji!)

Next, she picked up the one rupee coin, the copper one with the fish on it. The one they had said was minted in 1862. Patiala, from the days of Maharaja Mohinder Singh. Whose hands might it have passed through, who might have held it, purchased perhaps a pot of rice? What could a rupee purchase in those days? Perhas a kirpan or a kangha? No way to know. The old coin was the stuff of daydreams, awakening her imagination.

The "she" here, of course, is me. There is sort of romance in these old coins, a bit of history - OUR HISTORY - that I can actually hold in my hands. To hold these, or even to
just see the pictures is to feel my place in this history. And they are beautiful, too, small works of art. My husband, Mani, gave me one as a sort of wedding present back in 1970. I suppose I could have mounted it and worn it as a sort of medallion, but I never much liked wearing jewelry. Instead it was in a small plastic case in my wallet. It went everywhere I did. It was very beautiful with a peacock feather on it. He and I researched it together, learning more about the coin, our history and ourselves.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-coins/26970-sikh-coins-and-history.html
All of you know, of course, that I have a thing for fish. Evidently, so did some of the designers of these coins. Here are some examples of Sikh coins with fish, enlarged a bit so the detail is visible:

And one more. Find the fish yourself.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26970

If you have never owned one of these coins from our history, I would suggest that you get one. Of course, you must be careful; forgeries are out there. Be sure to buy from a reputable dealer.

If you'd like to learn more about Sikh coins, you might enjoy the Yahoo group, Sikh Coins. You can join by going to SikhCoins : Coins of the Sikhs. Be sure to say thanks to them. All these wonderful pictures are from their album collection.

My peacock coin? Unfortunately it was in my wallet in Delhi and got lost, like so much else, in the fire.

All pictures courtesy Sikh Coins.

Mai Harinder Kaur · #2 (**permalink**) 08-Oct-2009, 00:47 AM

I received this note this morning from one of the members of Sikh Coins. I think we can learn something. I know I did!

Quote:

Thanks for posting the article on Sikh coins on Sikh Philosophy Network. It does help to give the much needed exposure to the glorious Sikh heritage.

However, allow me take the liberty of pointing out a small error. Whereas, in the first image of the coin of VS1875 you have mentioned the year correctly as 1818AD, in the lower images the AD year is different. The coin of VS1837 corresponds to the year 1780AD. (The AD year is derived at by subtracting 57 from the VS i.e. Vikrami Samvat year). As such, the coin of VS1837 was minted long before the sovereign empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh began in VS1858.

I stand corrected and thanks!

Narayanjot Kaur · #3 (**permalink**) 08-Oct-2009, 02:06 AM

One of the wonderful things about coin collectors - numismatists - is their reverence for details. Out of this reverence grows a greater reverence for standing inside of a history that rings true.

All over the world - Sikh coin collectors - welcome because you are.

Mai Harinder Kaur · #4 (**permalink**) 08-Oct-2009, 02:29 AM

Another sterling quality I've found among numismatists is a willingness to learn and to be corrected when in error.

Overall, a courteous, civilised group these coin collectors!

Except about forgers! Then the gloves come off, as they should.

faujasingh · #5 (**permalink**) 08-Oct-2009, 03:17 AM

as it is well said " Roop Gobind da, Raaj Khalse da, Sikka Sone da "