Bhopal Coins
The principality of Bhopal, located in the central region of India, was one of the most important princely states during the period of the British Raj. Its history is closely linked to the Begum dynasty, a series of female rulers who left an indelible mark on the region. Among the most fascinating aspects of Bhopal is its monetary system, which reflects the rich cultural and political heritage of the state.
History and government of Bhopal
Founded in 1723 by Dost Mohammed Khan, Bhopal emerged as a prosperous Muslim state in a predominantly Hindu region. What distinguishes Bhopal from other princely states is its succession of female rulers, known as Begums, who led the state from 1819 to 1926. Under their leadership, Bhopal experienced a period of modernization and progress, excelling in areas such as education and infrastructure. British influence was felt throughout the 19th century, but Bhopal maintained a significant degree of autonomy until independence from India in 1947, when it joined the Indian Union.
Monetary system and numismatics of Bhopal
Bhopal's monetary system reflected its unique status and cultural heritage. Bhopal coins, known as"sikkas," featured inscriptions in Urdu and often included the name of the ruler in power. A distinctive feature was the inclusion of Islamic symbols along with traditional Indian decorative elements. During the reign of the Begums, coins were minted with their names on them, a rare occurrence in the Islamic world at the time. Denominations included silver rupees and smaller fractions such as annas and paise. With the growing British influence, Bhopal also adopted the decimal system and began minting coins that were more aligned with the British Indian standard, while retaining their unique characteristics. These coins are now highly valued collector's items, offering a fascinating window into the history and culture of this remarkable princely state.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable Bhopal coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Ancient coins of India-Princely States
To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of India-Princely States.
Bhopal Bikaner Bahawalpur Baroda Gwalior Hyderabad Indore Jaipur Jodhpur Junagadh Kutch Mewar Nawanagar Pudukkottai Ratlam Tonk TravancoreCoin Catalog
¼ anna (Bhopal)
¼ anna (Bhopal)
¼ anna (Bhopal)
1/2 anna (Bhopal)
1 anna (Bhopal)
1/2 rupee (Bhopal)
1 rupee (Bhopal)
1 rupee (Bhopal)
1/4 rupee (Bhopal)
1/2 rupee (Bhopal)
1 rupee (Bhopal)
1 pie (Bhopal)
¼ anna (Bhopal)
1/2 anna (Bhopal)
1/2 anna (Bhopal)
1 anna (Bhopal)
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