was 





246 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [June, 1914. 



In due course fresh dies were prepared, and all the material 

 necessary for a new issue was collected. On the eve of the 

 fateful 6th of May, 1910, everything was in complete readi- 

 ness, when alas ! further action was stayed, for the mourn- 

 ful intelligence flashed across the wires that our beloved King 

 dead. It would seem, however, that a dozen or so rupees 

 were struck, but none were issued as currency. The new coin, 

 had it been issued, would, I am confident, have won immediate 

 acceptance, inasmuch as the blemishes which in popular esti- 

 mation had marred the earlier rupee had all been happily 

 avoided. On the obverse King Edward appears as a King 

 indeed, royally robed and crowned. 



The new design is for the numismatist of special interest , 

 since clearly it was adopted, mutatis mutandis, for the later 

 struck rupees of George V. Of both the reverse is identical, 

 save that on the Edward rupee the date is 1910. We have 

 the same circular area with the same legend, and the same wavy 

 margin, exhibiting at the top and at the bottom the Indian 

 lotus, while on either side come a rose, a shamrock, and a 

 thistle. 



On the obverse the bust of King Edward is to right, 

 facing thus the bust on the rupees of the immediately preced- 

 ing and succeeding reigns. The rim is broad and slightly raised, 

 and the legend reads to the left of the bust 'Edward VII, 

 and to the right "King and Emperor " (not the "King 

 Emperor" of our present coin). With these exceptions 

 the unissued Edward rupee is but an " advance copy " of King 

 George's. Both exhibit the same imperial crown surmounted 

 by a Maltese cross, both the same ermine tippet, both the same 

 two chains distinctive of the Orders of the Star of India and 

 of the Indian Empire, and on both we find that same diminutive 

 representation of an elephant which, curiously misapprehended, 

 was to become the storm-centre of so much hostile criticism. 



Geo. P. Taylor 



133. A New Coin of Shah 



[Plate XXI.] 



Mint: Muradabad. 

 Metal : Copper. 



Size: • 8 inches =21 mm. 

 Weight : 290 grs. = 18*8 grms. 



Obverse : 



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