India. Sikh Empire. Khalsa Period. First Sikh occupation of Multan(1772-79). Gobindshahi Mohur, Multan, VS 1835 (1778). 11.02 gms. Tripartite leaf mintmark. Cf KM.83; cf Herrli 11.01.04. Situated at the the heart of the Punjab, Multan has often been fought over for its strategic position as a crossroads of the fertile Indus Valley. During the 18th Century, it changed hands several times. The Sikhs first took Multan from the Afghans in 1772, losing it back to Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1779. During their first occupation, they established a mint, producing Rupees which have always been scarce and much prized by collectors despite often being poorly struck. However, a Mohur of the first occupation has not previously been recorded. The coin here was housed in the exclusive collection of an Indian prince from a neighboring state. Had it any other provenance, its credentials might have been in doubt. It is struck exactly in the same way as Multan Rupees of the period, with the correct mintmark for its date, Vikrama Samvat 1835 (1778). We know that the Sikhs struck gold Mohurs at Multan during their second occupation, so there is every likelihood that they would have felt the need to do so during their first occupation. One test punch on edge, 20% flat areas both sides, obverse crudely struck, otherwise Extremely Fine, and unrecorded in gold.
