Anonymous struck during the reign of Mahmud Shah, Silver 1/6 Tanka ?, 1.79g, Goa Mint, AH 894, Obv: Stylized representation of a single mast ship, Rev: Arabic legend “Gowah fi 894” (G&G# BH122A). Extremely fine, extremely rare.
Goa was conquered by Mahmud Gawan, the able general and statesman of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1470, ending one hundred years of Hindu rule under the Vijayanagar Empire. But about ten years later he was put to death by the Sultan Mahmud Shah on a suspicion of treason. The Sultanate broke down in five parts soon afterwards.
During the short lived Bahmani occupation, silver coins matching the style and weight of local Vijayanagar issues were struck in Goa. Comparable Vijayanagar coins were found in a hoard at Harmal in Pernem taluka, North Goa. These are extremely rare and were virtually unknown till published in an article in ‘Numismatic Studies’.