Novamarketing Chiasso Medals Coins Afghanistan Afghanistan Barakzai Abdur Rahman Khan Rupee 1308

# 54Rupee AH 1308 Abdur Rahman KhanAfghanistan - Barakzai
Afghanistan – Barakzai Dynasty – Abdur Rahman Khan, as Amir (AH 1297-1319 / AD 1880-1901). Rupee AH 1308 (AD 1890/1), Mint: Kabul, Silver (ø 23 mm – w. 9.2 g.). Edge: grained. Hamidi 4A, KM 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 (1308) below, open wheat wreath around tied with ribbon below, five-pointed star at top. Border of dots.

Note:
Digit 0 correctly added in the die.
First machine struck rupee minted in Afghanistan, with the new minting machines imported from Europe, under the superintendence of Mr. McDermot (formerly employed at the Government Mint in Calcutta).

(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.

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.