Calcutta. ] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



283 



Regulation 35, Anno 1793, it was directed that the nineteen Sun gold 

 mohur should weigh 190.694 grains, and contain 2 of a grain in 100 of alloy, 

 and that it should pass for 1 6 nineteen Sun Sicca rupees. Here gold is valued 

 in proportion to silver as 14.85 to 1. 



Gold mohurs are coined only at the mint of Calcutta ; at the subordi- 

 nate mint of Furruckatuul, silver alone is coined. The fineness of both 

 metals is the same as English standard gold, namely H- The following 

 statement shews the present weight, fineness, and sterling value of the 

 coins, reckoning the value of gold at £3. 17s. 10^d. per standard ounce, 

 and silver at 5s. 2d. 





Grains pure. 



Oiiiiu alloy. 



Weight. 

 QntaM jjrosa 



VaJuo. 

 £ *. ti. 



Kurruckalmd Rupre . . 



Uff.661 

 175.5*33 



mitt 



IftQtt 

 ls.oiy 





u&atti 



1 13 2J 

 W 2 III 

 U 1 Li] 



By Regulation, 1819, the coinage of the Benares rupee is discontinued; 

 and the Furruckabad rupee made the legal coinage of Benares. 



It will be observed that the alloy has been increased; a regulation 

 which took place in 1819, whereby much expence is spared in refining. 

 The charge for coining and for refining is Jthe same at both mints, for 

 silver; namely, 2 per cent., if the bullion be of the standard fineness; but 

 where it differs, a proportional charge of from { to 2$ per cent, is made for 

 refining. 



See also the Bombay Assay Report, 1821, p. 138. 



The standard of the Bengal money has ever been silver. Gold is 

 occasionally coined, but the great bulk of the currency is silver. The most 

 common silver coin is the rupee of 1 Sicca, or 10 Massa weight. 



These rupees were formerly called Sicca rupees only during the year 

 alter their coinage, when the batta they bore on current rupees was 16 per 

 cent. ; the second this was reduced to 13, and the third and following years 

 the batta was 11 per cent. ; they were then called Sonaut or Sunat rupees. 

 But with a view to abolish this distinction, all the rupees coined of late 

 years by the East India Company, have been dated the nineteenth Sun, that 

 is the nineteenth year of the Mogul's reign ; and by Regulation 35, Anno 

 1793, it was ordered that the nineteen Sun Sicca rupees should be received as 

 the legal coin of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa. 



There are various other kinds of rupees to be met with in Bengal, 

 whose fineness and weight are different, though their denominations are the 

 same. From this, and from the natives frequently punching holes in the 



