City trader buys rare coin for Rs 11.5 lakh

A City-based businessman has bought King William IV Two Mohurs for Rs 11.5 lakh, the highest price ever paid for an antique coin.

The bidder bought the coin at an auction of extremely rare coins and notes, arranged in the City by auction house Madhura Arts.

According to Rajendra Maru of Marudhar Arts, the gold coin of Two Mohurs was minted in 1835 and weighs 23.32 gm.

Among the coins on auction was King George V 15 Rupees gold coin minted in 1918. The obverse of the coin has the image of a crowned and robed bust of King George V, and the reverse contains ‘15 Rupees, India 1918’ etched within a beaded circle. On the rim is a 10-pointed star with beautiful scroll work.

A King William IIII Gold Two Mohurs 1835, considered extremely rare, was another coin bought at the auction. This one was minted at the Calcutta Mint.

The initials R.S. for Robert Saunders, the Mint Master of the Calcutta Mint from January 1826 to January 1836, is on the obverse of the coin. On the reverse is a lion facing left in front of palm tree with English legends EAST INDIA COMPANY. The value of the coin is also mentioned in Persian ‘Do Ashrafi’.

A Pack Of 100 Notes of Rs 2, 1944 was sold to another bidder. This pack is still perfect with no stain or rust. Yet another interesting find in the auction for bidders was a Re 1 booklet of 1917.

This packet of notes contains 25 consecutive serial number notes. This too, considered rare, has been found in crisp condition, as it is an uncirculated bundle.