Lot 448

Mughal, Humayun (AH 937-947, 1530-1556 AD), Silver Countermark Shahrukhi, 4.58 gms, 22.36 mm, Mandu Mint (fully visible at 7' O clock on obv), Adl-e-Urdu? AH 943, Obv: In circle, legend Muhammad Humayun Ghazi; other titles, mint name and AH date in margins. Complete date visible, Rev: Kalima in circle, names of Rashidoons and titles around, similar to Zeno # 232883, multiple test marks & crack overall very fine, very rare.

A s a note mentioned on zenu by Dr. Shailendra Bhandare, he believes that this rare type of Shahrukhi is struck at Mandu not Champanir. 943-44 was an unusual year for the Gujarat Sultanate. On one hand it reeled under Humayun's invasion and on the other, internal struggles. To make matters worse, Sultan Bahadur Shah died and there was no successor so a court faction invited Meeran Muhammad Adil Shah of Khandesh to take over the reins of the kingdom. He died en route to Gujarat via Mandu. His rare coins are also dated 943. Interesting observation is that they share the same symbol seen here in the Kalima (a whorl with bent ends). It is plausible that the same mint quickly struck Shahrukhis in Humayun's name after this debacle. On this particular coin the letters Daal and waav are visible at 8 o'clock, perhaps giving credence to his doubt.