Ahom Dynasty, Brajanatha Simha, Copper Pana, 11.01g, SE 1739, Obv: Assamese legend “Shri Shri Braja / natha Simha Nrpa / Karitam Shake” followed by date in numerals, Rev: Persian legend “Sikka zad Badshaha Alam Panah Sri Braja Natha Singha” (RB# T18.1). Extremely fine, exceedingly rare, unique. This type of copper coin of Assam is known only from one surviving piece which is this. A Half Pana coin is known as well. It is evident that the inspiration for the design of the coin has come from the One Pie Sikka coins of the Bengal Presidency. Rhodes and Bose discuss the coin at length and suggest it to be in the name of Shah Alam II - however this reading is incorrect and what they read as “Shah Alam” is actually “Alam Panah”, a title known on coins of Braja Natha’s predecessor Rajeshwara Simha. It is plausible that Brajanatha tried to issue his own copper coinage in response to the growing shortfall in availability of cowries, which were being diverted to West Africa by the British. The experiment was not a success as only a single coin has survived so far. Highest rarity for Ahom coinage of Assam.