One Rupee Off-Metal Strike (OMS) of Shah Jahan I: A numismatic and historical study
Author(s): Engr Md. Zakir Hossain Khan
Abstract: This research paper investigates an unusual off-metal strike (OMS) one-rupee coin attributed to Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan I (reigned 1628-1658), integrating detailed technical numismatic analysis with broader historical interpretation. The study conducts a comparative assessment of the coin’s metal composition, minting style, fabric, and die characteristics against standard silver rupees issued during Shah Jahan’s reign. Using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), the analysis identifies a heterogeneous metallic composition consisting of copper (52.09%), gold (5.56%), silver (4.47%), and cadmium (0.86%). Such an alloy significantly deviates from the established fineness of Mughal rupees and suggests the likelihood of non-standard minting conditions, experimental trial striking, or the use of repurposed metal blanks. In addition to the metallurgical findings, the paper contextualizes the OMS coin within Mughal minting conventions, regional production variability, and the administrative mechanisms governing currency circulation in the seventeenth century. The rarity of OMS coins attributed to major Mughal emperors, particularly Shah Jahan, underscores the importance of this specimen for advancing scholarship in South Asian numismatics. By combining scientific testing with historical evaluation, the study demonstrates how anomalous coins such as this OMS rupee offer valuable insights into mint experimentation, economic practices, and the complexities of Mughal monetary history.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2026.v8.i1a.613Pages: 09-12 | Views: 466 | Downloads: 47Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Engr Md. Zakir Hossain Khan.
One Rupee Off-Metal Strike (OMS) of Shah Jahan I: A numismatic and historical study. Int J Hist 2026;8(1):09-12. DOI:
10.22271/27069109.2026.v8.i1a.613
