One Rupee OMS of Shah Jahan-I

Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram, famously known by his imperial title Shah Jahan, served as the fifth emperor of the Mughal dynasty, ruling from 1628 to 1658. His leadership marked the pinnacle of cultural magnificence within the empire. While he proved himself as a competent military strategist, Shah Jahan is most celebrated for his monumental contributions to architecture. His reign is often regarded as the golden era of Mughal architectural brilliance. Among the many magnificent structures he commissioned, the most iconic is the Taj Mahal in Agra, a breathtaking mausoleum built to honor the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

During the rule of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan I (1628–1658), the silver one-rupee coins, referred to as "rupiya," were distinguished by their artistic finesse and intricate inscriptions. These coins symbolized the opulence and cultural sophistication of the Mughal era. Key mints producing these coins were located in Agra—renowned for its connection to the Taj Mahal—along with Delhi, Lahore, Surat, and Patna. Shah Jahan’s silver rupiyas are highly prized by numismatists and historians for their exceptional craftsmanship and historical relevance. Known for their symmetrical design, these coins also featured elegant floral and geometric patterns, reflecting the emperor's deep appreciation for architectural beauty and artistic expression.

I discovered a coin attributed to Shah Jahan I, resembling the Rupiya from the Patna Mint. The lettering style closely matches that of the Patna-issued Rupiya. The metal composition analysis revealed 52.09% copper, 5.56% gold, 4.47% silver, 0.86% cadmium, while the remaining trace elements could not be identified due to limitations in the measuring equipment. Coins with such variations in metal content are commonly referred to as off-metal strikes (OMS).

 






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