Aurangzeb, Silver 1/4 Rupee- Nisar, 2.83g, Akbarabad Mint, AH 1070/ RY 3, Obv: Persian legend “Nisar Alamgir Badshah Ghazi” with RY at the bottom, Rev: Mint name and AH year. About uncirculated, extremely rare.
Quarter Rupee Nisars are perhaps the most common in known examples of the ‘Nisar’ coinage of Aurangzeb – however, the date and RY combination of this piece makes it interesting. Aurangzeb held two coronations: First coronation was held on Wednesday 1st Zilqa'da 1068 AH (21-7-1658) at Delhi, and second was held on Sunday 24th Rarnzan 1069 AH (5-6-1659). Coins were struck only at the latter event. Aurangzeb later decreed that the official date of accession be fixed as 1 Rarnzan 1068 AH corresponding to 23-5-1658AD (Julian Calendar), 2-6-1658AD (Gregorian Calendar). This led to a readjustment of RYs on his coins. This coin, since it mentions RY3 for 1070 is struck according to the new reckoning, perhaps soon after the decree was announced, as AH1070 runs out soon afterwards, allowing only May to August 1660 for the issue. Aurangzeb’s lunar birthday fell in July 1660 and the nisar was most likely struck for these celebrations.