Mughal, Empress Noor Jahan Alias Mihr-un-nissa Begum, Silver Rupee, Surat Mint

Ruler : Noor jahan (Mihr-un-nissa Begum)
Era : (AH 1033-1037 / AD 1623-1627) 
Dynasty : Mughal
Denomination : Rupee
Mint : Surat 
Weight : 11.31 grams approx
Diameter : 20.50 mm approx
Date : RY 20 / AH 1035 (1627 AD)
Reference Number : KM # 168.6
 
Obverse :
Poetic Couplet; ‘Ze hukum jahangir yaft sad zewar‘.
(By authority of Shah Jahangir, gold gained a hundred beauties) &  full mint ‘Zarb Surat’ at bottom.

Reverse :
Poetic Couplet; ‘Banam Noor Jahan Badshah Begum zar, (when the name of NoorJahan Badshah Begum engraved on it), & complete date Sanah 1035 / RY 20 at bottom.

Comment : 
Poetic couplet together reads : 

“Ze hukam shahe Jahangir yaft sad zewar ba naame Noor Jahan badshah begum zar”

which means by the order of Emperor ( Shah ) Jahangir, Gold gained ( attained ) a hundred beauties when the name of Queen Nur Jahan (“light of the world”) Badshah Begum was struck on it.

By the end of the reign, Jahangir had lost himself in drink and opium, and allowed his queen Nur Jahan to run the administration of the vast Mughal empire. This coin is tangible proof of Nur Jahan’s power, as she places her own name on it, although nominally the issuer is Jahangir, Rare. When Jahangir’s son Shah Jahan came to the throne, he made it a capital crime to use these coins and ordered them to be melted. This is why these coins are rarely found now. Rare.

Gem Uncirculated condition