Delhi Sultanate Silver Tanka
Country of Origin: Delhi Sultanate (Medieval India)
Year of Issue: Circa 1200 - 1526 AD
Denomination: 1 Tanka
Composition: Silver (likely billon or low-grade silver)
Brief Description
A thick, roughly circular handmade silver coin featuring Arabic calligraphy on both sides.
Historical Significance
These coins were the standard currency of the Delhi Sultanate, a period of Islamic rule in medieval India that laid the administrative and economic foundations for the later Mughal Empire.
Estimated Value
$10 - $40 USD depending on the specific Sultan and legibility
Care Instructions
Avoid all chemical cleaners or polishing. Handle by the edges to prevent oil transfer. Store in an acid-free PVC-free flip or a specialized coin cabinet.
Mint Mark
Specific mint name usually in the outer margin (e.g., Delhi, Lakhnauti), though not clearly visible on this specimen.
Mintage & Rarity
Common for common Sultans; rare for short-lived rulers or specific provincial mints.
Weight & Diameter
Typically 10.5 - 11.5 grams; 22 - 30 mm (standard for the type)
Edge
Plain / irregular
Apparent Grade
Good to Fine (significant wear and surface oxidation / crystallization visible)
Obverse (Front)
Arabic calligraphy containing the name and titles of the Sultan, often including 'The Supreme Sultan', within a circular or square border.
Reverse (Back)
Arabic calligraphy typically reciting the Islamic Kalima (declaration of faith) and the name of the Abbasid Caliph recognized by the Sultan.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Legibility of the Sultan's name and the date; presence of a rare mint mark; overall silver content and metal integrity.
Similar Coins
Bengal Sultanate Tankas or Mughal Rupees. Distinguished by the style of calligraphy and the geometric borders.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for 'casting bubbles' or seams which indicate fakes. Authentic hammered coins show uneven strike pressure and flow lines in the metal.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Varies by Sultan (e.g., Iltutmish, Balban, Alauddin Khalji); some feature unique geometric patterns around the central text.
Created At: 2026-06-04T19:25:49.123464