East India Company, Bengal Presidency, Calcutta Mint: post-1761 issues, Third gold coinage, silver Pattern Half-Mohur in the name of ‘Shah ‘Alam II (1173-1221h/1759-1806), 1182h, yr 10 [March-May 1769], unsigned, naming Murshidabad, sikka zad bar haft kishwar saya fazl ilah hami din muhammad shah alam badshah [defender of the religion of Muhammad, Shah ‘Alam emperor, shadow of the divine favour, put his stamp on the seven climes], rev. zarb murshidabad sanah 10 julus maimanat manus [struck at Murshidabad in the 10th year of his reign of tranquil prosperity], edge plain, 5.84g/12h (Prid. 40 [not in Sale]; Stevens 2.34; Stevens website image 1324, this coin; cf. KM. 92). Virtually as struck with deep old cabinet tone, exceptionally rare; perhaps only one other specimen (Johnston, NC 1903, pl.iii, 29, an inferior striking) extant [certified and graded NGC PF 63] £8,000-£10,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Puddester Collection.

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D. Fore Collection, Part II, Baldwin Auction 82 (London), 31 May 2013, lot 890, label.

Owner’s ticket and envelope.

Although the regnal year spanned 1768-9, authority to strike gold half-mohurs as part of the third gold coinage was not given until March 1769. It is likely that the then current practice was to strike specimens in silver (also known for the other minor denominations) for approval by the authorities before minting commenced in May 1769