Red Penny and Half-Crown from Stanley Gibbons and Baldwin

 

Stanley Gibbons and Baldwin Coins have been close to my heart since 1975. Social media helped me to forge a deeper connection with them. But an online connect doesn't even begin to compare with the joy of holding a coin and stamp personally picked out from their London store.

Featured here is a red brown 1856, 1d, PI.31. Very fine used example lettered EJ tied to a small piece by a black, boxed ''STANDPORT STREET'' Scots local cancellation (Type XVIII). Alcock scarcity rating A and a Coin (1816, United Kingdom, half-crown), which recently made their journey from the United Kingdom to India.

                                    

                                   

Red Penny, Red brown 1856, 1d, PI.31. Very fine used example lettered EJ tied to a small piece by a black, boxed ''STANDPORT STREET'' Scots local cancellation (Type XVIII). Alcock scarcity rating A.

                                       

United Kingdom, George III, half-crown,1816, silver, weight 14.14 gm, Dia 32 mm, Thickness 1.6 mm, Obverse : Large laureate bust (Bull Head), right, legend around, date below, lettering GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA, engraver Thomas Wyon, translation George the Third by Grace of God, Reverse: Crowned Garter and ornate Royal shield of arms overlaid with smaller shield, legend around, BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF HONISOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, translation King of the Britains Defender of the Faith Shame on he who thinks evil of it. Edge: Reeded.

Stanley Gibbons

Baldwin Coins

   

AD 69, The Year of the Four Emperors

The Year of the Four Emperors, AD 69, was the first civil war of the Roman Empire, during which four emperors ruled in succession. They were, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian. It is considered an important interval, marking the transition from the Julio-Claudians, the first imperial dynasty, to the Flavian dynasty. 

                           

Vespasian, AR Denarius, Struck in 70 AD.

     

                       

              Nero the Emperor (54-68 AD)

      

In 68 AD, Vindex, legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, revolted against Nero, the Emperor and encouraged Galba, governor of Hispania, to claim the Empire. The latter was acclaimed emperor by his legion in early April. He was notably supported by Otho, legate of Lusitania. Soon after, the legate of a legion in Africa, Clodius Macer, also rebelled against Nero. Finally on 09 June 68, Nero committed suicide after being declared a public enemy by the Senate, which made Galba the new emperor. 

                         

                   Galba, the Emperor 

   

                         

             The Roman Empire in 68-69 AD.                    

Galba was unable to establish his authority over the Empire, as several of his supporters were disappointed by his lack of gratitude. He especially adopted Piso Licinianus as heir (Galba was childless and elderly), instead of Otho, who it had widely been assumed, would be chosen. Angered by this disgrace, Otho murdered Galba and became emperor instead.

                          

                    Otho, the Emperor.

Unlike Galba he rapidly earned considerable popularity, notably by bestowing favours and emulating Nero's successful early years. Otho still had to face another claimant, Vitellius, who had been acclaimed by the legions of the Rhine on 01 January 69 AD. 

                        

                 Vitellius, the Emperor.

Vitellius won the First Battle of Bedriacum on 14 April, defeating the emperor. Otho committed suicide the next day, and Vitellius was appointed emperor by the Senate on 19 April. The new emperor had little support outside of his veterans from the German legions.

                       

             Vespasian, the Emperor (69-79 AD).

When Vespasian, legate of Syria, made his bid known, he received the allegiance of the legions of the Danube as well as many former supporters of Galba and Otho. After his acclamation in Alexandria on 01 July, Vespasian sent his friend Mucianus with a part of his Army to fight Vitellius, but the Danubian legions commanded by Antonius Primus had not waited for Mucianus and defeated Vitellius' legion at the Second Battle of Bedriacum on 24 October. Vitellius was subsequently killed by a mob on 20 December, Mucianus arrived several days after and swiftly secured Vespasian's position in Rome. The Senate acknowledged Vespasian as Emperor on 21 December 69 AD. He became the founder of the Flavian dynasty which succeeded the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The Flavians ruled from 69AD to 96 AD.

Coins during the Year of the Four Emperors

                         

Galba, AE sestertius, 68 AD, weight 27.8 gm, Obverse: SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG P M TR P, laureate head right, Reverse: Livia, draped, seated left on stool, holding patera and vertical scepter, S-C across fields, AVGVSTA in exergue.

                          

Galba, AR Denarius, Spanish mint, GALBA IMP, Obverse: laureate head right with globe at point of bust, Reverse: DIVA AVGVSTA, Livia standing left, holding patera and long scepter.

                         

Otho, Denarius, 69 AD, weight 7.3 gm, Obverse: OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head right, Reverse: PAX ORBIS TERRARVM, Pax standing left, holding branch and caduceus.

                        

Otho, Rome, AR Denarius, Obverse: IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head left, Reverse: Pax ORBIS TERRARVS, Pax draped, standing left holding branch and caduceus.

                        

Vitellius, AR Denarius, 69 AD, weight 3.3 gm, Spanish mint, Obverse: A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate head right, globe at point, Reverse: FIDES EXERCITVM above and below clasped hands

                         

Vitellius, AE Tarraco mint, Obverse: A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate bust left, globe at point, Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTI S-C, Victory alighted left holding shield inscribed SP/QR,  

                         

Vespasian, Denarius, 70 AD, Obverse: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right, Reverse: COS ITER FORT RED, Fortuna standing left, resting hand on gallery prow and holding cornucopia.

                        

   

Vespasian, 69-79 AD, AR Denarius, struck in AD 69-71, Obverse: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right (with hooked nose), Reverse: COS ITER TR POT Pax seated left, holding branch and caduceus.

The Year of The Four Emperors, 69 AD.

Coins of The Year of Four Emperors, 69 AD.

Coins, courtesy: Wildwinds.

Hunas in India and Coins

 

The nomadic tribes who lived in the neighbourhood of China were the Hephthalites (the Sanskrit name of which is Hunas). The Hunas are thought to have included the Xionite and /or Hephthalite, the Kidarites, the Alchon Huns and the Nezak Huns. The Hunas extended their kingdom from the border of Persia to Khotan in Central Asia. There were two branches of Hunas that advanced towards the west. One branch of the Hunas moved towards the Roman Empire and the other towards India. The invasion of India by the Hunas began about a hundred years after the Kushanas' invasion. The sixth century Roman historian Procopius of Caesarea (Book 1, Ch. 3) refers them as White Huns, who invaded Northwest India.

                                       

  Toramana Coin, early 6th century.                            

                                         

The Indian word ''Huna'', in line 12 (Verse 16) of the Risthal inscription, 6th century CE.

The Gupta Empire in India reigned in the Ganges basin during the fifth century, and the Kushan dynasty occupied the area along the Indus. After defeating the Kushans, the Hunas entered the subcontinent from the Kabul valley. This was in 458 AD. The Hephthalites, (Hunas) kept on invading India until the Gupta ruler Skandagupta repulsed them. The Hunas under the leadership of Toramana, suffered a crushing defeat by the Gupta emperor Skandagupta.

                                      

The approximate extent of the Alchon Huns

                                     

                                     

Hephthalite horseman on British Museum bowl, 460-479 CE, according to Procopius of Caesarea, they were the same stock as European Huns. 

 

 Before the defeat of the Hunas, they had displaced the Gupta Empire rule from the Northwestern part of India and ruled over Gandhar and central Punjab and also controlled the Kushans. He reduced the power of a number of local kings and chieftains and assumed the title of '' Maharajadhiraja''. In many regions of Sutlej and Yamuna, coins and inscriptions of Toramana were found. 

The Hunas waited till the death of Skandagupta to invade again in 470 AD. This time under Mihirakula, the successor of Toramana, the Hunas were successful temporarily and ruled from Sakal, today's Sialkot. Mihirakula ruled over Northwestern India for thirty years. They persecuted Buddhists and destroyed all monasteries. 

                                       

Spots of epigraphic inscriptions (red dots) indicating control by Alchon Huns in India between 500-530 AD, with neighbouring polities, and territorial extent.

  

However, Mihirakula was defeated by two major rulers Yasodharman 

and Narasimhagupta Balditya and was driven out of the plains and into Kashmir and died in about 542 AD. After his death, the political power of Hunas declined and they were driven out of India. 

                                      

Victory pillar of Yashodharman at Sondani, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, India. 

                                        

Mihirnscription of Yashodharman, Red stone pillar, 515-550 AD, discovered in 1884, now in Yashodharman Museum 

The trade connections between the Guptas and the Roman Empire weakened after the Hunas invasion. Cultural cities like Pataliputra and Ujjain lost their glory. Small kingdoms began to grow and prosper on the ruins of the Gupta Empire hereafter. It is widely believed that for the first time there was a racial admixture in India after the Huna invasion and the Indian culture got introduced to the Huna's martial culture.  

Coins of Hunas. They were essentially of three types. The large copper coins portray the king riding a horse on the obverse and Lakshmi on the reverse side. These were copied from the Gupta horseman type. The second type followed the coins of Later Kushans. The third type were the Sassanian type with the kings bust on the obverse and a humped bull on the reverse. 

                                         

Mihirakula, 515-540 AD, Drachm, weight 2.6gm, Dia 25 mm, Obverse: Crowned bust of emperor, right, filleted scepter surmounted by round plate behind, filleted trident, Reverse; Fire altar with attendants, scepter and trident in opposite fields.

                                         

Mihirakula, copper, stater, 515-540 AD, weight 7.6 gm, Dia 22 mm, Obverse: Kushan style king standing sacrificing at altar left and holding a standard, with Brahmi legend, Reverse: Goddess Ardoksho seated facing on throne, holding filleted diadem and cornucopia.

                                         

Mihirakula, 515-540 AD, weight 3 gm, Dia 20 mm, Obverse: Crowned king's bust right, with Brahmi legend, ''Sri Mihirakula'' to right, Reverse: Humped bull advancing left with trident to left, crescent above, Brahmi legend Jayatu Vrisha (Victory to the sacred bull), below.

                                         

Mihirakula, early 6th century, weight 7.7 gm, Dia 21mm, Obverse: Kushan style king standing, facing, holding scepter in left hand, right hand sacrificing at fire altar left, Brahmi legend left: mihirakula Reverse: Goddess of plenty Ardochsho (Lakshmi) enthroned facing, holding cornucopia and diadem.

 

                                            

Mihirakula, early 6th century, weight 7.2 gm, Dia 20mm, Obverse: Kushan style king standing, facing, holding scepter in left hand, right hand sacrificing at fire altar left, Brahmi legend left: shahi mihi, right: ragula Reverse: Goddess of plenty Ardochsho (Lakshmi) enthroned facing, holding cornucopia and diadem.

                                        

Mihirakula silver Drachm, early 6th century, weight 3.3 gm, Dia 25 mm Obverse: Crowned bust of king right, wearing diadem with crescent forehead ornament and hanging ribbon ends, lunar crescents on shoulders, ribboned trident at right, sun standard at left, Brahmi legend above: jayatu mihirakula, dotted border around, Reverse: Fire altar flanked by attendants, dotted border around.

                                       

Toramana silver Drachm, early 6th century, weight 2.4 gm, Obverse: Head of king left, Gupta style, date Reverse: Stylized peacock standing facing, with wings spread, Brahmi legend around: vijitavaniravanipati sri toramana divam jayati.

                                     

Toramana, early 6th century, copper, weight 3.8 gm, Dia 17 mm, Obverse: Bare headed bust of king right, wearing necklace with ribbon ends, Brahmi legend at right: bu or bra, dotted border around, Reverse: solar disc in upper register, Brahmi legend below: tora, dotted border around.

Hunas in India

Coins of Hunas

Razia Sultana, the First and Last Ruler of Delhi Sultanate and Coins

 

Raziyyat-Ud-Dunya Wa Ud-Din, popularly known as Razia Sultana, was a ruler of Delhi Sultanate. She was the first and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi. She ruled from 1236 to 1240 AD. During her rule she proved her mettle as a just and capable ruler, and was renowned for her subversive actions, which varied from sporting men's attire to printing coins in her own name.

                       

Razia Sultan Tanka, silver              

               

In 1205, Razia Sultan was born into the household of Shams-us-din Iltutmish as his only daughter in Badaun. Although he had entered Delhi as a slave worker under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Mamluk Dynasty and the first Sultan of Delhi, he had impressed the ruler with his efficiency, and had been appointed as a provincial governor. Aibak married his daughter Qutb Jaan to Iltutmish. Iltutmish sought to impart these same qualities to his children, including Razia and ensured they were all well-educated and trained in archery, martial arts and administration.

On 30 April 1236, Iltutmish passed away, appointing Razia as his rightful heir. The Muslim nobility refused to accept this, and they installed her brother, Ran ud din Firuz, on the throne. His rule, which was managed by Shah Turkaan, Iltutmish's widow, came to an abrupt end a mere 6 months later, when both he and his mother were assassinated. Razia was finally handed over the reign on 10 November 1236. 

                      

Razia Sultan, 18th Century, Alamy

Razia ascended the throne as Jalalat ud din Raziya and immediately dropped her veil, replacing it with men's attire. She was proud of her kingdom and conquered new territories. She established schools, academics, and public libraries.

                     

Sultanate Empire, 1236 AD.
 

The Turkish nobles were displeased by Razia's efficient rule as well as her rumoured involvement with Jamal ud Din Yaqut, an Abyssinnian Siddi slave. Despite her courageous efforts, she was taken into capture, and her brother, Muizuddin Bahram Shah, usurped the throne once Yaqut was murdered.

Malik Altunia, governor of Bhatinda fell in love with Razia's charm and wit and took her as his wife. He rebelled against the Turkish nobles and was determined to win Razia back her kingdom. He planned a siege on behalf of his sovereign. Together they marched towards Delhi in October 1240 AD but were unsuccessful in their conquest against Bahram. Razia and Altunia fled Delhi the next day. With their remaining forces abandoning them, they met their unfortunate end on 15 October 1240 AD when she was 35 years old. 

There are many debates about Razia Sultan's burial site. However, it is widely stated that her grave is located at Mohalla Babuli Khana near Turkman Gate in Old Delhi. It was built by her successor and half-brother Bahram. Her sister's (Shazia) grave is located besides her grave.

                     

Razia Sultana Tomb, Delhi, Turkman Gate, Sajia, her sister buried next to her.

                     

Plaque

                      

Coins of Razia Sultan

                   

Bengal Sultanate, AH 634-637, 1236-1240 AD, Tanka, silver, weight 10.3 gm, Lakhnauti mint, struck in her own name.

                       

Bengal Sultanate, AH 634-637, 1236-1240 AD, Tanka, silver, weight 10.4 gm, Lakhnauti mint, Obverse: inscribed as Al-Sultan Al- A'zam Jalalat Al-Dunya Wa'l Din Malikha Ibnat Iltutmish Al- Sultan Nasrat Amir Al- Mu Minnin, Reverse: inscribed as Fi had Al iman Al Mustasim amir Al Muminin. 

                       

Delhi Sultanate, Billon, Jital, AH 636-637, 1236-1240 AD, weight 3.5 gm, horseman to the right                       

 Delhi Sultanate, Jital, 1236-1240 AD, Billon, weight 3.6 gm, Obverse: Horseman, legend in Nagari around, lettering Sri Hamira, Reverse: legend in Persia, lettering Jalalat al-Din Radiyya.

                         

Delhi Sultanate, Jital, Billon, 1236-1240 AD, weight 3.5 gm, Horseman right, Four lines Arabic legend, al-sultan al-muázzam radiyyat al-din bint al-sultan

 

Razia Sultan

Coins of Razia Sultan