Readers' Forum
Pestonshahi Sikka
The Seth Viccaji Seth Pestonji Meherji Agiary in Secunderabad had, during its sesquicentennial celebration on August 6, 1997, issued a replica of the Pestonshahi Sikka accompanied by a write-up from which, with due courtesy to the said fire temple, I wish to share information here.
The Pestonshahi Sikka was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coins struck, both in design and purity of metal, during the mid-19th century. The reverse read: "Zarb Sanh Julus Maimanat, Manus Zarb, Peston 1256 Hirji;” while the obverse had on it: "Sicca Mubarak Muhammed, Bahadur Shah.”
Minting of coins in medieval India was regarded as a sign of power and prestige and was associated with royalty. The Pestonshahi Sikka was the only coin ever minted by a Parsi family since the advent of Parsis in India nearly 1,300 years earlier. The coin was called the Pestonshahi Sikka because Seth Pestonji Meherji was permitted to insert his initials on the coin. There has perhaps been no other family that was permitted by the state to have its own initials or marks engraved on national coins.
Over a crore of such coins in silver and copper in various denominations were struck from the Aurangabad mint between 1832 and 1842. These coins remained legal tender until the beginning of the 20th century in Nandair, Aurangabad, Parbhani and in some parts of the ceded districts of Berar. Today, only a few of the original coins remain in the possession of the descendants of the family, while four of these coins are on display in the British Museum, London.
BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA
The Pestonshahi Sikka was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coins struck, both in design and purity of metal, during the mid-19th century. The reverse read: "Zarb Sanh Julus Maimanat, Manus Zarb, Peston 1256 Hirji;” while the obverse had on it: "Sicca Mubarak Muhammed, Bahadur Shah.”
Minting of coins in medieval India was regarded as a sign of power and prestige and was associated with royalty. The Pestonshahi Sikka was the only coin ever minted by a Parsi family since the advent of Parsis in India nearly 1,300 years earlier. The coin was called the Pestonshahi Sikka because Seth Pestonji Meherji was permitted to insert his initials on the coin. There has perhaps been no other family that was permitted by the state to have its own initials or marks engraved on national coins.
Over a crore of such coins in silver and copper in various denominations were struck from the Aurangabad mint between 1832 and 1842. These coins remained legal tender until the beginning of the 20th century in Nandair, Aurangabad, Parbhani and in some parts of the ceded districts of Berar. Today, only a few of the original coins remain in the possession of the descendants of the family, while four of these coins are on display in the British Museum, London.
BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA
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