Note: An intriguing and historically important heavy-weight coinage of the Mughal Empire, these so-called “heavy rupees” of Shah Alam Bahadur represent a short-lived and rare numismatic experiment, notable for their weight exceeding that of standard rupees. They were primarily struck in AH 1123 / RY 5, with rarer issues known from AH 1123 / RY 6 and a very limited number from AH 1122 / RY 4 and RY 5, as exemplified by the present specimen.

A comprehensive study of this remarkable issue was presented by Alan DeShazo in The ONS Journal No. 220, identifying at least ten mints that participated in the production of these heavy rupees. The elevated weight standard, first introduced for the gold mohur, appears to have been briefly extended to silver rupees.

These coins were issued under an Imperial Farman mandating the striking of currency to a higher weight standard, a policy swiftly rescinded shortly thereafter. Their brief period of production, limited mint participation, and immediate withdrawal render all surviving examples extremely rare and historically significant, representing one of the most fascinating monetary experiments of the Mughal Empire.

Bronze Half Pice of King George V of Calcutta Mint of 1916.

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