Brief Sikh Coin History

Sikh Coins History began alot earlier than Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's 1st Sikh Coin issue in 1711. The journey started during the Guru period in the 17^th Century, at the peak of the Moghul rule. Constant conflict beween the Sikhs and Moghuls resulted in many battles fought. Eventually this resulted in sovereignty of the Sikhs in 1710 and minting of the First Sikh Coin in 1711, and labeled as Year 2. There could be a Year 1 minted in 1710, but non known to date. 

The battle for independance continued in the 18^th & 19^th century  during the Durrani & British periods. This resulted in the creation of the Dal Khalsa, Phulkian Misl and later Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire minting coins as part of being independent or sovereign.

No known Sikh coins were minted between 1713 to 1764. The Phulkian Misl started issuing Sikh coins in 1764, followed by the Dal Khalsa in 1765. 

There were multiple Sikh Mints between 1711 – 1941, but the largest were Lahore Mint, Amritsar Mint, Multan Mint (1764 - 1849) and the Phulkian Misls Mints (1764 -1941). Mints under the Dal Khalsa issued coins between 1765 – 1801. Mints under Maharaja Ranjit Singh issued coins between 1801 – 1849. Phulkian Misl issued coins between 1764 – 1941, Faridkot Mint being the last. Largest mint under the Phulkian Misl was the Patiala Mint.

Sikh and non-Sikh Coins were traded during the same period, within the same region, with a defined exchange rate. Many non-Sikh territories also accepted Sikh coins as part of trading, similar to modern currency practices today.