Lot 199

Mughal, Akbar (AH 963-1014, 1556-1605 AD), Copper 1/25th Dam or Jital, 0.80 gms, 9.45 mm, Anonymous, Ilahi Year 44, similar to Zeno # 130982, very fine, extremely rare.

After the Islamic 'Millennium' of AH990, Akbar sporadically issued anonymous coins with the name of the denomination written on them. Copper coins with denominations 'Nisfi' (Half Dam), 'Ruba'I' or 'Damra' (1/4 Dam), 'Damri' (1/8th Dam) but without any mint names were struck from AH992/Ilahi 32 onwards. The 'Jital' was the smallest copper coin instituted by Akbar'. According to the 'Ain-i Akbari of Abu'l Fazal, it was only a unit of account equivalent to 1/25th of the Dam, and therefore a denomination whose use was limited only to books. However, in spite of this mention, extremely rare surviving specimens bear proof that this was not entirely the case and coins of this denomination were indeed produced during Akbar's reign. Renowned collector of Mughal coins, the late Dilip Shah, published a couple several years ago in the Oriental Numismatic Society Newsletter. The date on this coin is the latest amongst the handful specimens which survive,