Exceptionally Rare NGC-certified Mughal Coin from India in the Spotlight

A rare gold coin that tells the love story of a 17th-century Mughal Emperor and his wife is featured in an auction that includes more than 350 ancient and world coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®). Bidding is already underway for Stephen Album Rare Coins’ Auction 49, which will be held June 13-16, 2024.

Easily the top lot in the entire auction, the India - Mughal AH1035//20 Mohur - Jahangir & Nur Jahan graded NGC UNC Details (lot 712) has an estimate of $100,000. This gold coin bears the name of Nur Jahan, the 20th and final wife of Emperor Jahangir. She became his favorite consort and, as his health declined, assumed control of the administration of the empire, which at the time included most of northern India and Pakistan.

Nur Jahan demonstrated her capability as an administrator, skillfully navigating numerous crises, including a failed rebellion. Her unparalleled influence is evidenced by the inscription of her name on coins minted during the final years of Jahangir's reign — a privilege traditionally reserved for rulers in the Muslim world and never before extended to a wife.

Following Jahangir's death in 1627, his successor, Shah Jahan, exiled Nur Jahan to Lahore. Shah Jahan, who is best known for the construction of the Taj Mahal, also decreed that all coins bearing her name be melted down and forbade their use under the penalty of death. Consequently, Nur Jahan's coins, especially those in gold, are exceptionally rare.

Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:

• a Great Britain 1721 Guinea graded NGC AU 55 (lot 958), with an estimate of $5,000
• a Venezuela 1886 Bolivar graded NGC MS 63 (lot 1279), with an estimate of $5,000
• a Hungary 1907KB Gold 100 Korona - Coronation Anniversary graded NGC PF 63 (lot 977), with an estimate of $2,600
• a Saudi Arabia (1945-46) 4 Pounds - Philadelphia Mint graded NGC AU 58 (lot 1435), with an estimate of $2,600
• a Germany 1769 G-S Brandenburg-Ansbach Taler graded NGC AU 58 (lot 913), with an estimate of $2,500
• a Greece (1940) Silver 100 Drachmai - Restoration graded NGC PF 64 (lot 975), with an estimate of $2,500
• a Brazil 1842B 960 Reis graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1133), with an estimate of $2,500
• a France (1380-1422) Charles VI Ecu d’Or graded NGC MS 62 (lot 878), with an estimate of $2,000

Estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol indicates US Dollars.