Novamarketing Chiasso Medals Coins Afghanistan Afghanistan Barakzai Abdur Rahman Khan Rupee 1310

# 60Rupee AH 1310 Abdur Rahman KhanAfghanistan - Barakzai
Afghanistan – Barakzai Dynasty – Abdur Rahman Khan, as Amir (AH 1297-1319 / AD 1880-1901). Rupee AH 1310 (AD 1892/3), Mint: Kabul, Silver (ø 23 mm – w. 7.45 g.). Edge: grained. Hamidi type 4B, KM type 806.

Obverse:
Amir's Toughra (1) in centre (Mir Abd al-Rahman = Abdur Rahman, the Amir), open wheat wreath around tied with ribbon below, five-pointed star at top. Border of dots.

Reverse:
Mihrab and Minbar (2) with two flags in centre, Mint name (Kabul) and date (1310) below, open wheat wreath around tied with ribbon below, five-pointed star at top. Border of dots.

Note:
This coin is a contemporary machine-struck forgery. It is made from a debased alloy and it is underweight. Workmanship and style are excellent.

(1) A style of elaborately adorned, calligraphic, imperial or royal signature, wich is characterized by flowing loops and vertical stems.
(2) The Mihrab is a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the Mecca. The Minbar is the elevated reading desk or pulpit.

Metallographic analysis:
Ag 41.8 % / Cu 39.5 % / Zn 11.5 % / Ni 6.5 % / Pb 0.3 % / Fe 0.3 %
(Examination performed using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF), model Fischersope XAN-FD, on the coin’s surface (ca 100 microns depth) without any mechanical preparation).

Web References:
http://dewardt.net/dimebook/Afghanistan.pdf

Literature:
Hakim Hamidi – A Catalog of Modern Coins of Afghanistan – Ministry of Finance, Education Press, Franklin Book Programs, Kabul, 1967.
Krause C. and Mishler C. – Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801-1900 – Krause Publications, 4th Edition, Usa, 2004.