Maratha Confederacy, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Gold 1/2 Fanam, Obv: nagari legend in three lines ‘Shri  Ra /ja / (Shiva)’, Rev: nagari legend in two lines ‘Chhatra / Pati’,  0.18g, 6mm, uncirculated, Exceedingly Rare.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja the great Maratha leader formed a party of Hindu tribes in the Deccan region of the Hindu locals and strengthened the entire empire in the Konkan region. His coronation took place at Raigadh in the year 1674 AD and gold hoans were struck and showered on the head of Chhatrapati during the coronation.  Shivaji established the powerful Maratha forces and successfully fought the Mughals and other foreign powers.

There was another important gold coinage which is Fanam. These were struck with his name from the Maratha territories mostly in South where the Maratha presence had been in areas like Jinji and Thanjavur. It is not evident and confirmed that which type were struck during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj and is still questionable.

The reverse die where the nagari legends read Chhatra / Pati is die identical to that of the Gold Hoans of Shivaji. Struck during the coronation or reign of Shivaji Maharaj from the same mint/die engraver?

Several fanams has been reported in various private collections and auction sales but legends arrangement in this style is coming into the light for the first time. An exceptional superb mint quality fanam and great rarity of the Marathas.