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Auction: 21125 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 11: Indian & Islamic Coins
Lot: 7200

Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Dutch Colony, Persian coin used in Ceylon, Sulayman I (1667-94), Mahmudi, Huwayza (Khuzistan), 3.57g, date uncertain, 'VOC' countermark with 'C' above for Colombo (host coin Iran, KM 235; with countermark, Ceylon, KM 48; Scho. 1286i), host coin good fine, countermark deeply struck and clear, good very fine

provenance
Part of a collection of coins formed by Mr Campbell, a tea planter of Nuwara Eliya in the early 20th century. He regularly correspondeded with Mr H. W. Codrington (famous for having later written 'Ceylon Coins and Currency,' published by Richards, Government Printer, Ceylon, 1924), which is still a standard reference work on the subject today. Codrinton mentions that a hoard of coins of this type were being offered in Ceylon in 1913 and it is likely that these coins were part of this find.
Scholten notes (pp.150-151, quoting Valentijn) that coins current in Colombo were the "large Persian Abbassi (5 shahis) for 22½ stivers, the common Abbassi (4 shahis) for 18 stivers and the Mahmudi or ½ Abbassi (2 shahis) for 9 stivers."
Although these were supposed to be counter-stamped with 'the Company's mark' after 1660 he goes on to note: "On Jan.27, 1691 another warning was published against false counter-stamped Abbassis made of lead, copper and tutenag that were in circulation. The prescribed weight was: 5 Shahipiece 9.232 grams; Abbassi 7.387 grams; Mahmudi 3.693 grams."

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£110