A beautiful and carefully preserved set of coins! These coins from Ratlam State and Ratlam Region are rich in history and iconography.

1. Ratlam Region Paisa (AH) – Various Symbols

These coins are likely from the 18th to early 19th century, with Islamic Hijri (AH) dating. Ratlam was a princely state under the British Raj, and its currency often featured Persian or Devanagari inscriptions, along with regional motifs.

• The symbols (like floral patterns, abstract shapes, and dotted circles) are typical countermarks or mint marks.
• Each coin bears a unique countermark, possibly denoting different issues or years.

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🪙 2. Ratlam State Paisa – Ruler: Ranjit Singh (VS 1945–47)

These coins are from the later period of Ratlam State:

• VS 1945 & 1947 = AD 1888 and 1890 (approx.).
• Clearly marked “Mint: Ratlam”.
• Coins feature Hanuman, depicted either standing or seated, sometimes holding a gada (mace) – a powerful icon of devotion and strength.
• This iconography ties to the religious beliefs of the ruling class or the populace.

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🪙 3. Special Mentions

• “Lion facing left” coin with round countermark: This is notable. Lion imagery often symbolized power or British influence in some princely issues.
• “Rayil Currency” (Railway Currency?) under PARDAM SINGH and R.Y. 25: Likely a local fiscal token used for limited trade or rail-related payments within the Ratlam region.

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📌 Observations:

• These are mostly copper paisa coins.
• AH and VS dating systems are used: AH (Islamic) and VS (Vikram Samvat – Hindu calendar).
• Some coins might be machine struck, while others appear to be hand struck, indicating a transition period.

Lunavada State – Lion Coin (VS 1949 / 1892 AD)

• Ruler: Wakhat Singhji
• Unique Feature: Lion motif in square shape (rare and distinctive!)
• Script: Devanagari (rare for lion coins, usually Persian or symbolic)
• Variants:
  • One with open hand motif
  • One with irregular planchet struck over earlier coin (a fascinating mint error or economic reuse!)

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Highlights of Lunavada Variants:

• Open Hand Symbol: Possibly linked to Jain or Hindu symbolism (blessing or protection)
• Overstruck Coin: A rich piece for study—these overstruck types are extremely collectible!
• Shape: Unusual shapes (square, irregular) make them even more valuable to collectors.

Coins: Ancient: Lunavada State:

Lunavada State – Lion Coin (VS 1949 / 1892 AD)

• Ruler: Wakhat Singhji
• Unique Feature: Lion motif in square shape (rare and distinctive!)
• Script: Devanagari (rare for lion coins, usually Persian or symbolic)
• Variants:
  o One with open hand motif
  o One with irregular planchet struck over earlier coin (a fascinating mint error or economic reuse!)

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Highlights of Lunavada Variants:

• Open Hand Symbol: Possibly linked to Jain or Hindu symbolism (blessing or protection)
• Overstruck Coin: A rich piece for study—these overstruck types are extremely collectible!
• Shape: Unusual shapes (square, irregular) make them even more valuable to collectors.

# Coins: Continuing the Copper Coins Collection:

These coins are beautiful pieces from Jaipur State, part of the princely states of British India.

1. Jaipur State Nazarana Paisa (1947)
Mint: Jaipur
Denomination: Nazarana Paisa
Year: 1947
RY (Regnal Year): 26
Ruler: Maharaja Man Singh II
Notes:
Nazarana coins were usually minted for ceremonial purposes or as presentation coins, often struck with special care.

1947 is historically significant as it is the year of India’s independence.

2. Jaipur State Nazarana Paisa (1941)
Mint: Jaipur
Denomination: Nazarana Paisa
Year: 1941
RY: 20
Ruler: Maharaja Man Singh II
Symbol: The scorpion symbol drawn at the bottom left is traditional in Jaipur coins, sometimes indicating mint marks or religious symbolism.

3. Jaipur State 2 Annas (1942)
Mint: Jaipur
Denomination: 2 Annas (Square Coin)
Year: 1942
RY: 21
Ruler: Maharaja Man Singh II
Note: Reference to George VI shows this was during British paramountcy, where coins sometimes bore references to the British monarch even in princely states.

These are fascinating copper coins from various Princely States of pre-independent India and neighboring regions.

1. Arcot State – Paisa
Mint: Arkat (Arcot)

Metal: Copper

Denomination: Paisa

Note: Arcot was a Mughal Subah (province) and later a Nawabdom in the Carnatic region of South India. Arcot coins often feature Persian/Arabic inscriptions.

Era: Likely from the late Mughal or Nawab period (18th–early 19th century).

2. Awadh (Oudh) State – Paisa
Mint: Najibabad

Date: AH 122x (Early 19th century)

Metal: Copper

Denomination: Paisa

Design Note: Features the fish symbol, a famous emblem of Awadh.

Historical Context: Awadh (Oudh) was a wealthy princely state in North India, famous for its unique coinage. Najibabad was one of its mints.

3. Bahawalpur State – 1/4 Anna (Copper)
Date: 1940 AD / AH 1359

Ruler: Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan V

Metal: Copper

Denomination: ¼ Anna

Design: Features the portrait of Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan.

Historical Context: Bahawalpur was a princely state now in modern-day Pakistan. The coin shows the transition towards more modern, portrait-based coins.

4. Banswara State – Paisa (Anonymous Issue)
Metal: Copper

Denomination: Paisa

Design: Features a unique symbol (resembling an ancient royal insignia).

Note: Labeled as an Anonymous Issue, meaning no ruler’s name is mentioned, common in some Rajput princely states.

Era: Likely 18th–19th century.

5. Bela State – Falus
Ruler: Mahmud Khan

Metal: Copper

Denomination: Falus (an old term for copper coins)

Design: Floral or emblematic motif visible.

Historical Context: Bela was a lesser-known princely state, possibly from the Baluchistan region. Mahmud Khan was one of its rulers.

Some interesting coins from our collection:

A)Colonial India Coins (European Settlements)

1. Dutch – Negapatnam (Nagapattinam)
   • Coin: VOC Monogram (Dutch East India Company)
   • Metal: Likely copper
   • Denomination: Cash
2. Danish – Tranquebar (1776)
   • Coin: IV Kas
   • DAC Monogram
   • Metal: Copper
   • Issued by Danish East India Company
3. French – Arcot Mint (Rupee)
   • Silver Rupee
   • Year: AH 1221 (Islamic Hijri year)
   • Inscription in Persian
4. Portuguese – Diu Bazaruco
   • Date: 1686
   • Portuguese India coin with a cross design
   • Metal: Copper

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📌 B) Maratha Empire Coins

1. Cuttack Mint – Trident design
   • Denomination: Paisa
   • Symbol: Trishul (Trident)
2. Satara Rajas
   • Denomination: Paisa
   • Devanagari script
3. Katak Mint – Silver Rupee
   • Indigenous Maratha mint
   • Devanagari script
4. Poona Mint – Silver Rupee
   • Prominent Maratha mint (Pune)
   • Devanagari legend

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📌 C) Mughal and Regional Coins (Rupees)

1. Farrukhabad Mint (Shah Alam II)
   • Mughal Rupee
   • Reg. Year 21
   • Minted in 3 places
2. Gurkha Kingdom (Nepal) – Srinagar Mint
   • Coin issued during Givban Yuddha (Gorkha wars)
   • Timasha (small denomination silver coin)
3. Rohilkhand – Panipat Mint
   • Two rupees of Shah Alam II
   • Years: AH 1193 and AH 1198
   • Strong Rohilla influence in this region

Just five sheets from Dad’s #Travancore stamps/covers collection. Each sheet is handwritten/drawn by him, when explaining the postmarks.

A fascinating aspect of Travancore’s postal history, highlighting different types of postmarks and cancellations. Here’s an overview of these philatelic gems:

The first page discusses the division of Travancore postmarks into vernacular and English groups.

A key feature is the pre-stamp circular date postmark, typically found in a rimless circle with concentric arcs.

The sample postmark from Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) dates back to the pre-stamp period.

Delivery Postmarks

A postmark from Nagercoil features a double-ringed circular date stamp with “DELY.” (short for delivery).

The date format is structured with abbreviations for the month and year.

The postmark is flanked by four-pointed stars, which is a distinct design element.

Refused Mail Cancellations

A rectangular “REFUSED” cancellation appears on registered items.

The example from Chengannur A.O. is dated 27 Kar 118 (Travancore Era).

Another example from Parur A.O. is in a slightly larger rectangular format and dated 4th Thu 122.

Express Delivery (അടിയന്തിരം – “Adiyanthiram”)

Express service markings are prominently displayed.

The first example is from Ettumanoor A.O., dated 26 DHA 88.

Another example from Nagercoil, dated 29 VRI 105, shows a similar rectangular marking.

Express Service Markings of Travancore

This marking is divided into three sections, with “ATIYANTRAM” (Express) at the top.

The middle sections contain words like “SAMAYAM” (Time), “MANI” (Hour), and “MINITTU” (Minutes).

English versions of these markings are also seen on registration slips.

Zero euro notes ..set of 12…each depicting an event from Mahatma Gandhi’s life.

Another unique part: all notes end in 786.

Only collector value, of course.

A collection of Dhar State coins, specifically Paisa coins, from Dhar, a princely state in central India (now part of Madhya Pradesh).

Historical Background of Dhar State Coins:

• Dhar State was a princely state under British India, and it issued its own coinage before the introduction of the Indian rupee.
• Coins from Dhar are known for their unique designs, often featuring Hindu mythological figures.
• The collection particularly highlights coins with Hanuman depictions, which were significant in Dhar’s local culture.

Details:

• The coins are labeled “DHAR STATE PAISA”, indicating their denomination and origin.
• Some coins are marked with “Hanuman”, suggesting they feature the image of the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman.
• There are references to “Die Variation Hanuman”, which implies there are different versions of the same coin with slight differences in die design.
• Some labels mention “Square Planchet”, meaning a few coins were struck on square-shaped metal blanks rather than the standard round shape.
• The handwritten red Hanuman figure on the holders further suggests a thematic focus on the Hanuman imagery.

Why Are These Coins Important?

1. Cultural Significance – Dhar State coins featuring Hanuman reflect the regional religious influence and devotion to the deity.
2. Numismatic Rarity – Variations in the dies and planchets (e.g., square coins) make them valuable to collectors.
3. Historical Context – These coins were issued in a period when princely states had their own monetary systems before Indian unification.

These are Notgeld (emergency money) issued for the Gefangenen-Lager Dyrotz, a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Germany. Notgeld was commonly issued during times of economic crisis, especially during and after World War I, when there were shortages of official currency.

Key Features of These Notgelds:
Issued by Gefangenen-Lager Dyrotz

Dyrotz was a POW camp, likely in Germany, where these notes were used internally for transactions among prisoners.
They were not public legal tender (as indicated on the notes: Kein öffentliches Zahlungsmittel).
Denominations and Design

The notes in the image include different values: 5 Pfennig, 50 Pfennig, 2 Mark, 3 Mark, and 5 Mark.
Each note has decorative borders and the term Gutschein, which means “voucher” or “coupon”.
Some have official stamps or markings, which could indicate validation for circulation within the camp.
Security and Warning Text

These notes carry a warning: Wer diesen Schein nachmacht oder verfälscht oder Fälschungen versuht, wird strafrechtlich verfolgt.
Meaning: “Whoever forges or falsifies this note or attempts counterfeiting will be prosecuted.”
This suggests they were carefully controlled within the camp system.

Historical Context:

During WWI and WWII, many POW camps issued their own Notgeld to control economic activities within the camp, preventing prisoners from using official currency.
These types of notes were often exchanged for goods in camp canteens but had no value outside the camp.
Collectibility & Value:
These POW camp Notgelds are rare and highly collectible, especially if they are in good condition and have clear stamps or signatures.