1/4 Paisa - Tipu Sultan Faiz Hisar mint

Historical Context: This 1/4 Paisa copper coin, minted in 1797 (1225 AM, Anno Mauludi), emanates from the Kingdom of Mysore under Tipu Sultan, a formidable adversary of the British East India Company. The mint name "Faiz Hisar" (Fort of Grace/Plenty) is one of Tipu's innovative renaming conventions, commonly identified with his capital, Seringapatam. Issued just two years before his final defeat and death, this coin reflects Tipu's efforts to assert his independent sovereignty and economic reforms amidst the escalating Anglo-Mysore Wars, providing essential small change for daily commerce in a period of intense geopolitical flux.

Artistry: Tipu Sultan's coinage is characterized by its distinctive aniconic design, primarily featuring elegant Persian calligraphy. Specific engravers are not typically identified for these issues; rather, the style represents the standardized state-controlled output of Tipu's reformed monetary system. The legends typically include the regnal year, the Mauludi era date, and the mint name, often within a dotted or linear border. The artistic emphasis is on legibility and the clear assertion of state authority and Islamic piety, rather than elaborate figural representations, aligning with the broader stylistic trends of late 18th-century South Indian Islamic numismatics.

Technical/Grading: Given its small size (11 mm) and copper composition, this 1/4 Paisa often exhibits challenges critical for grading. Key high-points include the strike quality: a well-centered strike with full, legible legends, particularly the mint name "Faiz Hisar" and the date, is highly desirable. Copper planchets from this era can be irregular; a round, smooth flan free from significant laminations or defects enhances appeal. Wear on the raised calligraphic elements should be minimal, and the coin should possess a stable, attractive patina, devoid of active corrosion, harsh cleaning, or significant environmental damage, which are common issues for copper. C#41.5 specifically refers to this mint variant.