Mughals, Nur Jahan (Mehr-un-Nissa Begum) under the authority of Jahangir, Allahabad Mint, Silver Rupee, “Sad Zewar” Couplet. (AH 1033–1037 / AD 1623–1627) Zeno# 371630

The obverse and reverse poetic couplet on this coin can be readed as - 

Obv: بہ حکمِ شاہ جہانگیر یافت صد زیور “Ba hukm Shah Jahangir yaft sad zewar";
Rev: بہ نامِ نور جہاں بادشاہ بیگم زر "Ba naam Nur Jahan Badshah Begum zar"

Together means “By order of Shah Jahangir, gold acquired a hundred adornments through the name of Nur Jahan Badshah Begum.”

The Empress, The Couplet and the Fortress on the Riverbank - 'Allahabad'

Known as the “Sad Zewar” or “Hundred Adornments” couplet, the verse presents Nur Jahan’s name as something that adds beauty to precious metal. Although its wording refers to gold, it was also used on silver rupees. The opening line invokes Jahangir’s command, while the second honours Nur Jahan with the title Badshah Begum, expressing her exceptional standing within the imperial household.

Born Mehr-un-Nissa, Nur Jahan married Jahangir in AD 1611 and rose to become one of the most influential figures at his court. Her appearance on imperial coinage made that position visible far beyond the palace: money carrying her name passed through the hands of merchants, officials and ordinary subjects. These coins were issued under Jahangir’s authority, yet the prominence given to the empress was an extraordinary acknowledgement of her influence.

Allahabad ranks among the rarest mints represented in Nur Jahan’s silver coinage. Our survey of available auction archives and published references has traced only a handful of specimens bearing this mint name. Our study of Zeno and other records has identified four specimens of Nur Jahan’s Allahabad rupee, comprising three auction examples and one in the British Museum collection. Comparison of these coins reveals two distinct varieties in the arrangement of the legends. The present variety places particular emphasis on the word “hukm” (“command”), engraved prominently on a line of its own. Its bold, extended calligraphy acts as a visual divider, lending the couplet a particularly striking and balanced appearance.

Another distinctive feature is that all Allahabad rupees of Nur Jahan bear AH 1037 / RY 22, the final regnal year of Jahangir. While her rupees from other mints are known with earlier dates, the recorded Allahabad issues are confined to this single year, placing them at the closing chapter of the imperial partnership celebrated in their inscriptions. The same Hijri year witnessed the emergence of Shah Jahan’s coinage. Following Jahangir’s death in AD 1627, Nur Jahan’s support for the rival claimant Shahryar brought her into opposition with Shah Jahan. Her political influence declined with his accession, and accounts of his orders to recall and melt coins bearing her name may help explain their very limited survival. 

Including the present coin, only three specimens of this variety, one of which is held in the British Museum. This Rarity gives the present rupee particular importance, combining the historical distinction of coinage issued in the empress’s name with an exceptionally elusive mint attribution. To the best of our knowledge, no other recorded Allahabad rupee of Nur Jahan is free of test marks. The present specimen is exceptional for its Mint State preservation, complete legends and outstanding visual appeal, and is the finest example. Such a combination of mint rarity and remarkable preservation presents collectors with an opportunity that may arise only once in a lifetime.

Gem Uncirculated, Exceedingly Rare.