World Coins Countries I-L

Ismail I was the founder and first shah of Safavid Iran, ruling from 1501 until his death in 1524. The dynasty founded by Ismail I would rule for over two centuries, being one of the greatest Iranian empires and at its height being amongst the most powerful empires of its time. His reign is often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history and one of the most vital in the history of Iran. Ismail I was responsible for reviving Iran as an economic stronghold between East and West, he was also a prolifi c poet who, under the pen name Khaṭāʾī, contributed greatly to the literary development of the Azerbaijani language. These silver ½ Shahi coins feature beautiful calligraphy typical of the period with the name Shah Ismail in a cartouche on the obverse. Now over 500 years old, they are offered in Good Very Fine condition but in very limited numbers.

These small silver 1 dirham coins circulated in Sindh province, which is located in what is now south-east Pakistan. Also known as “damma”, the coins were in use during the rule of the Habbari Dynasty, which ruled Sindh and the Punjab between 854AD and 1011AD. The coins themselves date from the time of the founder of the dynasty, Umar bin Abdul Aziz al-Habbari, who reigned from 854AD until 884AD. Although there has been some wear and tear, these coins are over 1,000 years old and are in Very Fine condition.

In 1674, the French set up a trading post in Pondicherry, now known as Puducherry in south eastern India. It later became main French settlement in India. These silver 1 Fanon coins, worth 1/5 of a rupee, were issued in the colony between 1738 and 1792, and struck at the Mahé Mint in another French colony in South West India. On the obverse there is the letter “P” for Pondicherry, while on the reverse are the words “French Company” in Persian. Very nice, high grade Silver coins over 230 years old.