Note: Among all Mughal emperors, Jahangir displayed a unique predisposition towards his coinage. He initiated the practice of striking special coins for court rituals such as Nazr and Nisar. Of these, the Nisar coins functioned as agents to disperse the ill effects of the “evil eye” by distracting the public-causing them to look away-while the emperor presented himself at court or during royal processions.

Jahangir mentions several times in his autobiography the amount of money he scattered while staging processions in cities such as Ahmadabad. However, it is apparent that the ritual was also carried out by other high-ranking members or officials, as Nisars are known from places the emperor himself never visited.

Nisars were often struck in low denominations, ostensibly to ensure that a certain amount would last while being scattered over the duration of a ritual or procession. However, most such very low-denomination Nisars are extremely rare, as their chances of survival in circulation were limited. Fractions such as the Dasa (1/10 rupee) and Suki (1/20 rupee) rank among the rarest Mughal coins.

Silver Two Annas Coin of King George V of Calcutta Mint ...

Silver Two Annas Coin of Victoria Empress of Bombay Min ...

Copper Half Pice Coin of Victoria Empress of Calcutt ...

Silver Two Annas Coin of King Edward VII of Calcutta Mi ...