Jital - Muizz al-din Muhammad bin Sam Ghorid of Ghazna / Lahore mint

Historical Context: This Jital was issued by Muizz al-din Muhammad bin Sam, known as Muhammad of Ghor, a pivotal figure in South Asian history. His reign (1173-1206) marked the zenith of the Ghurid dynasty's power and its significant expansion into the Indian subcontinent. Minted in Ghazna and Lahore, this coin underscores the vast territorial reach of his empire, which laid the foundation for the Delhi Sultanate and enduring Muslim rule in northern India.

Artistry: While specific engravers remain anonymous, typical for the era, this Jital belongs to the distinctive stylistic school of early Indo-Islamic coinage. It often features the iconic bull and horseman design, inherited from earlier Hindu Shahi issues, demonstrating a cultural synthesis. The obverse typically depicts a caparisoned bull, while the reverse shows a mounted horseman, accompanied by Kufic or Naskh script identifying the ruler and religious formulae. This blend of indigenous imagery with Islamic epigraphy is a hallmark of Ghurid numismatics.

Technical/Grading: Struck from leaded copper, a common alloy for currency of the period, this Jital weighs 2.9 grams and measures 16 millimeters. The lead content would have facilitated striking but also made the coins softer and more susceptible to wear. Key high-points for grading include the clarity of the horseman's face and upper torso, the bull's hump and head, and the legibility of the surrounding legends. Strike quality varies; well-centered examples with sharp details on both figures and crisp epigraphy are highly prized.