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1 Keping Sultana
| Issuer | Sumatra |
|---|---|
| Year | 1804 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
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| Obverse description | Imitation of the Arms of the British East India Company occupies the central field, rendered in a simplified, provincial style. A Latin legend arcs above the shield, while a scroll beneath bears a meaningless motto in imitation of authentic Company coinage. The date 1804 appears below the scroll. A beaded border encircles the entire design. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ISLAND OF SULTANA 1804 |
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| Additional information |
The kepings of Sumatra occupy an unusual corner of numismatic history — they were not struck by any sultanate acting alone but emerged largely to serve the spice and pepper trade under the influence of the British East India Company, which encouraged local tin and copper coinage to fill a chronic small-change vacuum across the Malay archipelago. This particular piece dates to a moment when EIC commercial pressure on Sumatra was intensifying ahead of the formal treaties that would follow.
The Singh reference places it among a thinly documented series where attribution between issuing courts remains contested in the literature.