1 Tanka - Ghiyath al-Din Jalal Satgaon mint

Historical Context: This 1 Tanka silver issue, struck at the Satgaon mint (1533-1538), belongs to Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud Shah, the last independent Sultan of Bengal's Hussain Shahi dynasty. His reign saw escalating internal strife and relentless external pressure from Sher Shah Suri, leading to the Sultanate's collapse. Coinage from this period, especially from vital centers like Satgaon, represents a final assertion of sovereign authority amidst profound instability, highlighting diminishing but persistent control over crucial economic arteries.

Artistry: The Tanka's artistic execution adheres to the Bengal Sultanate's established Islamic numismatic tradition: aniconic and calligraphic. Legends, typically in elegant Naskh and Kufic scripts, dominate both obverse and reverse, proclaiming the ruler's titles, religious invocations, and mint/date. The stylistic school is distinctly regional, often termed "Bengali script" aesthetic. Individual engravers are not known to have signed their work; emphasis remained on dynastic and religious messaging, not personal attribution.

Technical/Grading: Premium examples exhibit a strong, centered strike on a broad, well-prepared flan, ensuring complete legibility of all legends, particularly marginal mint/date details often off-flan. Clarity of the intricate Naskh and Kufic script, especially the ruler's full titles and religious formulae, is paramount. Seek coins with minimal flan irregularities (cracks, laminations) and robust silver fabric. A full, clear impression of the Satgaon mint name and Hijri date is a significant grading advantage.