The Nicholas Rhodes Collection: Coins of North East India (Part 2)。Jaintiapur, Bargosain II (1731-70), Tanka, 9.10g, Sk. 1653, Śri Śri Śi/va Charana ka/mala Madhu Ka/rasya [star], pistol in left margin, sword to right, symbol ?N? above, eight beads in lower half, within beaded circle, crescent at top, rev. Śri Śri Ja/yantipura Pu/randarasya Śa/ke 1653, two beads at start of top line and three at end, a row of five beads top and bottom, all within a circular beaded border (RB. K14; KM. 177), some red powder between characters on obverse, very fine. Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer?s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.。The coins of this ruler are relatively common and occur in many varieties depending on the number and placement of beads and the symbol above the first line of the obverse. Deyell in 1980 (Numismatic Digest, Vol. IV, part II), thought the number of beads might relate to the regnal year but more recent studies have resulted in a greater number of varieties than years of the reign. It is likely, however, that as the reign progressed, the number of beads increased. Their actual significance is uncertain, but it is reported that the striking of these coins was farmed out to private contractors, so it may be that the bead system enabled the authorities to identify which contractor struck which coins. The coins appears to be struck using somewhat debased silver; examples occur countermarked and with a small drill hole. As usual, KM does not list the various varieties.