Sikh Coins :Its Evolution from 1711 to 1941

Sikh Coins :Its Evolution from 1711 to 1941

By Dalwinder Singh Sidhu 

Website : https://coinsofthesikhempire.com

Blogs : https://sikhnumismaticsandmedals.blogspot.com/

Blogs : http://sikhcoin.blogspot.com 

Facebook : Coins of the Sikh Empire and the Cis-Sutlej States

Sikh Coins : Beginning of Sovereignty

The Guru period in the 17th Century during the Moghul rule saw constant conflict. This constant conflict finally resulted in the declaration of sovereignty by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. This was done by minting the First Sikh Coin in 1711. Conflict continued in the 18th & 19th Century with the Mughals, Afghan Durrani’s and later the British East India Company. This resulted in the Dal Khalsa, Phulkian Misl and later Maharaja Ranjit Singh minting coins as part of being independent after 1765. 

Sikh and non-Sikh Coins were traded during same period with a defined exchange rate.

Many non-Sikh territories also accepted Sikh coins as part of trading and doing business. 

Brief History of Sikh Coins

There were multiple Sikh Mints between 1711 to 1941, with the largest being Lahore-Amritsar-Multan. Mints under the Dal Khalsa issued coins between 1765 – 1801. Mints under Maharaja Ranjit Singh issued coins between 1801 – 1849. Mints under the Phulkian Misl (aka Cis-Sutlej) issued coins between 1764 – 1941, with the largest being the Patiala State Mint. Faridkot was the last Sikh Mint to exist that produced Sikh coins. 

Sikh Mints between 1765 to 1941 minted mainly Copper and Silver coins. Very few minted Gold coins, and were mainly believed to be used for special ceremonies. Affiliated Sikh Mints are still in discovery under other minor Sikh rulers.

Calligraphy on Sikh Coins was mainly Persian and later Gurmukhi. Other local languages were also observed embedded in some of the Sikh coins minted. Nanakshahi and Gobindshahi couplets were used on all the coins. Floral (Sprig, Rose, etc..) and Animal designs (Fish, Peacock, etc..) were observed on many coins as well, which added beauty to the already wonderful calligraphy. 

Brief History of Sikh Coins Minted : 

Khalsa Mint
– 1711, Khalsa Mint : 1st Sikh Coin 

Dal Khalsa

– 1747, 65 Jathas combined together to create 11 Misl’s and Dal Khalsa formed
– 1747, Gurdwara Tokens Minted

– 1765, Lahore Mint under Bhangi Misl
– 1775, Amritsar Mint under Bhangi Misl
– 1777, Multan Mint under Karora Singhia Misl
– 1778, Multan First Gold Mohur Minted

– 1786, Amritsar First Gold Mohur Minted

Multiple (> 60) Jathas were combined into 11 Misls to create the Dal Khalsa. This enabled better collaboration among the Sikh Misl’s and counter the constant threat of invasions. In 1761, Lahore was captured by the Bhangi Misl. In 1765, Sikhs declared independence and established the Sikh State of Punjab. In the same year, Lahore Mint started issuing coins and continued until 1846. New mints were later also established in  cities like Amritsar and Multan. 

Sher-e-Punjab’s Empire

– 1799, Lahore captured & Gold Mohur Minted

– 1801, Anointed Maharaja of Punjab & consolidation of Misls started 

– 1804, Amritsar Gold Mohur Minted

– 1819, Kashmir Mint

– 1820, Derajat Mint

– 1822, Mankera Mint

– 1834, Peshawar Mint

– 1837, Dera Mint

– 1847, Nimak Mint

– 1848, Emergency Coinage at Multan Mint

– 1849, Last Sikh Coin @ Maharaja Duleep Singh

Coins were minted during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule between1801 – 1839. 

In 1801, Ranjit Singh assumed Leadership of the Sikh Kingdom and conferred the title Maharaja. He expanded the empire towards Kashmir and later to North-West Frontier. In 1819, Kashmir Mint was establish, Derajat Mint in 1820, Mankera Mint in 1822, Peshawar Mint in 1834 and Dera Mint in 1837. Establishment of these Mints symbolized the growth of the Sikh empire in those regions. No new mints were established by the subsequent rulers, except under Maharaja Duleep Singh. The Nimak Mint was established in 1847. 

Quality of minted coins started degrading starting 1843 and beyond with many errors being recorded. Quality control was not as good, probably due to constant turmoil. The Portrait Rupees Minted at Lahore were probably the most unique type minted. Those rupees have a portrait of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh seated on his knees paying floral tributes to Guru Nanak Dev ji, and a Flag in the background.

Cis-Sutlej States

Phulkian Misl under Ala Singh was the only Misl not part of the Dal Khalsa. This included States of Nabha, Patiala, Jind and Khaital. These states were also known to share Dies and probably Minting Presses. Faridkot Mint did not issue any coins for circulation. Only Commemorative Nazarana/Mohurs were issued by Faridkot. 

– 1764, Patiala Mint

– 1766, Kaithal & Nabha Mint

– 1764 – 1789, First Jind Gold Mohur

– 1777, First Patiala Gold Mohur

– 1799, Kalsia Mint

– 1807, Buria Mint

– 1840, First Nabha Gold Mohur

– 1941. First Faridkot Gold Mohur

After the Khalsa Mint first minted its coins in 1711, Patiala was the next Mint to officially publish Sikh coins in 1764. Dal Khalsa was next, which minted coins in 1765 at Lahore through the Bhangi Misl. The Dal Khalsa minted coins for 34 years before the young Ranjit Singh concurred Lahore in 1799. Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh minted coins starting 1799 and lasted for 50 years, ending with Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849. 

Cis Sutlej States were the longest reigning Sikh Mints to survive and continued minting until 1941. They minted coins for 176 years through the various state mints. Their political alignment with the British Monarchy was credited for this long lasting mintage history. Later these states became Punjab after 1947. 

Sikh Gold Mohurs were mainly issued to Royalty and High-Ranking officers. Hence there is limited availability of Sikh Gold coins. British and Lahore Museum have large collections of Gold Mohurs. Very limited mohurs are known to be with Private Collections. Due to the rarity, many modern fakes (jeweler imitations) have shown up in market. 

Sikh Silver Rupees were the second most common coins minted after copper coins. 

These were the main source of payment as salaries for military, officials and general trading. Many silver coins were melted by the British after the annexation of Punjab in 1849. Due to lack of interest in Sikh coins up to late 1990’s, many more were melted just for its silver content.

Khalsa Mint issued the first Sikh coins between 1711 to 1712. Khalsa Mint came about after the capture of Sarhind by Baba Banda Sikh Bahadur. 2 Coins were issued, each in 1711 and 1712. Year 2 was recorded on First Coin issued in 1711. Year 3 was recorded on Second Coin issued in 1712. Was there a coin issued for Year 1 in 1710?

Sikh Copper Paisa’s were the most commonly minted coins for general use vs. the Silvers or Gold. Copper coins are also the least studied subject. Many coins were melted down and the metal was used for British India coins and weapons. Copper coins were initially recorded by Valentine in early 20th Century, but a more comprehensive documentation is in the latest Sikh Coin book published by Dalwinder Singh.

First Copper Paisa’s Issued by all Mints are listed in extreme detail in the published book.