Mughals, Nur Jahan (Mehr-un-Nissa Begum) under the authority of Jahangir, Surat Mint, Silver Rupee, “Sad Zewar” Couplet. (AH 1033–1037 / AD 1623–1627) AH 1036 / 21 RY Surat Mint. In the name of Nur Jahan and Jahangir. NGC MS-63, Extremely Rare.

Obv:
بنامِ نور جہاں بادشاہ بیگم زر
Ba nam-i Nur Jahan Badshah Begum zar
(Through bearing the name of Nur Jahan, the Empress.)

Rev:
ز حکمِ شاہ جہانگیر یافت صد زیور، ضرب سورت
Ze hukm-i Shah Jahangir yaft sad zewar, zarb Surat
(By order of Emperor Jahangir, gold gained a hundred adornments, struck at Surat.)

Struck at Surat - a gateway to overseas trade

This rupee bearing Nur Jahan’s name unites her extraordinary imperial stature with the maritime commerce of Mughal India.

A visually striking and Extremely Rare rupee of Nur Jahan, displaying brilliant lustre and captivating eye appeal. Tied with one other specimen as the finest graded by NGC for this issue, this exceptional example combines remarkable preservation with considerable historical significance. Nur Jahan was one of the most powerful women of the Mughal Empire, exercising extraordinary influence during the final years of Jahangir’s reign. Renowned for her political acumen, she played a prominent role in imperial administration, court affairs, trade, and patronage of the arts. Her greatest numismatic distinction was being the only Mughal empress whose name appeared on imperial coins alongside that of the reigning emperor, a remarkable expression of her authority. Struck at Surat, a major port connecting Mughal India with overseas commerce, this rupee carries her name beyond the imperial court into the currency of trade. Its inscription preserves an exceptional moment in Mughal history, when an empress’s status received recognition on the empire’s coinage. Following Jahangir’s death in 1627 and Shah Jahan’s accession in AH 1036 / 1628 AD, her political influence declined, bringing this extraordinary chapter of Mughal coinage to a close, The two sides form a single couplet; “zar” literally means gold, although the verse also appears on silver rupees. Extremely Rare.