Shivrai
Shivrai was a copper coin minted during the rule of Marathas[1] and remained in circulation till the end of 19th century, primarily in the Bombay Presidency region.[2]
| Maratha Empire | |
| Value | 1/74th to 1/80th of Rupee |
|---|---|
| Composition | Copper |
| Years of minting | 1674 - 1830 |
| Circulation | 1674 - Late 1890s |
| Obverse | |
| Design | "Shri / Raja / Shiv" or "Shri / Raja" in Devanagari script, in three or two rows. |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Chhatra / Pati in Devanagari script, in two rows. |
Before 1830s, Shivrai was valued at 1/74th to 1/80th of a Rupee.[3] There are 150 different types of Shivrai extant till date.[2] In 1885, the British government ordered all local revenue collectors (Mamlatdars) to collect all Shivrais and deposit them in treasury. The purpose of this was to bring the new pice, worth 1/64th of Rupee, in currency by eliminating this native rival.[2] In 1890, Rev. Abbott collected and studied around 25,000 Shivrais. He mentions that they were still in circulation.[2] The Shivrai remained in circulation till the end of 19th century.[2]
Shivaji's Shivrai
| Maratha Empire | |
| Value | 1/74th to 1/80th of Rupee |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Composition | Copper |
| Circulation | 1674 - 1890s |
| Obverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Shri / Raja / Shiv in Devanagari script, in three rows. |
| Design date | 1674 |
| Reverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Chhatra / Pati in Devanagari script, in two rows. |
| Design date | 1674 |
When the Maratha warrior Shivaji became Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire,[4] as a symbol of sovereignty, the Rajyaabhisheka Shaka (The Coronation Era) was started. On the occasion of coronation, special coins were minted, including a gold coin called Shivrai Hon.[5] These coins have Shri Raja ShivaChhatrapati, in Devanagari, inscribed on them.
Dudandi Shivrai
Dudandi Shivrais (Marathi: दुदांडी शिवराई) were minted during Peshwa period.[6] Dudandi literally means two-bars.[7]
| Maratha Empire | |
| Value | 1/74th to 1/80th of Rupee |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Composition | Copper |
| Years of minting | Mid 18th Century - 1818 |
| Circulation | Mid 18th to late 19th century |
| Obverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Shri / Raja in Devanagari script, in two rows. "Shri" is underlined. |
| Reverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Chhatra / Pati in Devanagari script, in two rows. |
The "Shri" at the top of the obverse is underlined. This horizontal line, combined with the horizontal heading line of the word "Raja", gives us an impression of "Double bars", hence the term "Dudandi".
EIC's Shivrai
The British East India Company minted Shivrais at Poona during the period of 1820-1830.[8] Unlike Earlier Shivrais, these contained year of minting on it.[9] The dotted collar of earlier Shivrais is also absent.[9] The year was given in Fasli era.[8]
| Company Raj | |
| Value | 1/74th to 1/80th of Rupee |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Composition | Copper |
| Years of minting | 1820 - 1830 |
| Circulation | 1820 - Late 1890s |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Numeric Fasli year, "Raja" in Devanagari |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Chhatra / Pati in Devanagari script, in two rows. |
See also
References
- ↑ Shivaji era copper coins found at construction site
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Rare coins will be on display
- ↑ Coins from Shivaji era main attraction at rare items expo
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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