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Rupee - Gaura Simha
| Issuer | State of Manipur (Indian states) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1756 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | KM#23, RB#8 |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Four-line Devanagari legend occupying the entire recessed square field, recording the date of issue in the Vikrama Samvat calendar. The inscription reads in transliteration: 'Vaisakh Sudhī Terakhavade 1, Samvat 1678', indicating the bright fortnight of the month of Vaisakha, Samvat 1678 (corresponding to 1756 CE). The letterforms are boldly cut and densely arranged across the four registers of the field, with a raised border enclosing the legend on all sides. The hammered technique imparts slight irregularity to the overall shape and surface texture. This dating format is characteristic of Manipuri rupees of the period, combining lunar month, tithi, and Samvat year. |
| Reverse script | Devanagari |
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| Additional information |
Gaura Simha ruled Manipur for a single year, 1756, making any coinage attributed to his reign scarce by simple arithmetic. The political instability of mid-18th century Manipur — a period marked by succession disputes and Burmese military pressure on the valley — meant short reigns rarely produced substantial mint output.
KM#23 / RB#8 attribution follows Pridmore's cataloging of Manipuri coinage, which itself drew on limited source material. Weights across known specimens show some variation around the standard, consistent with hand-struck production at a small royal mint rather than any centralized facility.