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Catalogue of Indian Coins
in the Cabinet of theAsiatic Society of Mumbai
AProposal
February 2006
The Asiatic Society of MumbaiTown Hall, Mumbai (India)
Phone: +91-22-2266 0956Fax: +91-22-2266 5139
SYNOPSIS
I Abstract page 2II Introduction page 2III Methodology page 3IV Duration of the Project page 3V Scope and Significance of the Project page 3VI Cost Estimate page 4VII Appendices page 6
I AbstractNumismatics is an important tool in the hands of a historian. Coins
not only provide political information like names and titles of the issuingkings and their predecessors but also throw a flood of light on otherhistorical aspects like social conditions, religious tolerance, language,script, economic development like rise and fall of an empire, etc. Suchfossilized tablets of history are lying in public and private museums andinstitutions unattended. This is mainly due to the scarcity of experts onone hand and dearth of fund on the other. A scientific study of these coinswill open a new vista of research for historians and numismatists. Hence, asystematic catalogue of these coins is needed which will also highlight thetreasure of India.
II IntroductionThe Asiatic Society was established in 1804. The aim of the Society
was to provide a platform to Indologists working on different aspects ofIndian history and culture. In due course, the Society gained such areputation that the then Government of India started supplying hoards ofcoins unearthed in different parts of the Indian subcontinent. This was themain supply of coins for the Society that helped in building a substantialcollection of 11,830 coins.
This unique numismatic collection includes 643 gold coins and restin metals like silver, copper, lead and billon. The coin cabinet covers arange of coins of important dynasties like Pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Post-Mauryan Punch-marked coins; the Kushans; the Kshatrapas; theSatavahanas; the Guptas; Sultanates like Delhi Sultanate; the GreatMughals; the Princely States and coins of the European countries like theIndo-Danish, Indo-Dutch, Indo-French, Indo-Portuguese, the East IndiaCompany and of the British. Also included are some of the coins of theMiddle East, European countries and America. The Society also housessome of the extremely rare coins like the 5 Tola Gold Mohur of Akbarthe Great (illustrated in the Appendix 1) and some of the very rare punch-marked coins from the famous Sultanpur-Wai Hoard of Satara,Maharashtra.
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Although these coins are properly stored in paper envelopes andkept in a safe vault, what is needed is a proper study and publication forthe posterity. A well-studied catalogue of these coins will be helpful forthe numismatists and historians on one hand and to ever-growingcommunity of coin collectors on the other hand. Such a catalogue will alsoput these coins in their right place, i.e. in the hands of numismaticcommunity to admire study and analyze the metallic tablets of IndianHeritage. The present Project revolves around this millennium task ofclassifying, cataloguing and publishing the unique collection in the cabinetof the Asiatic Society of Bombay.
III Methodology> Initial classification of all the coins with respect to time and dynasty> Complete digital photography of all the coins> Classification of coins as per dynasties, rulers, types, denomination and
varieties.> Designing of Software for Index Cards. This advanced Software will
have a number of search filters. With the help of this, one can search inseconds for a query like, "silver Rupees of Mughal Emperor Akbarissued from Akbarabad mint (modern Agra)".
> Preparing Digital Index Cards for all the coins classified (a sample ofthe proposed card is attached herewith). A hardcopy of the Index Cardswill be available in the Library so a research scholar can go through itand get the necessary information without looking at actual coins.
> Data entry of the cards in the computer software> Preparation of Catalogues> Publication of a four-color volume, Catalogue of Indian Coins in the
Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Bombay.
IV Duration of the ProjectThe classification and cataloguing of the collection is expected to be
complete within twenty months. However, publication of the cataloguewill take some more time.
V Scope and Significance of the ProjectThe project is important for a number of reasons. The Asiatic Society isgoing to be the first institution in India whose complete coin collectionwill be digitally recorded with all the major coins classified and publishedin lull color. Moreover, the entire collection will be available on CD-ROM. Secondly; the catalogues will be useful to historians andnumismatists on one hand and the coin community on the other. Finally,the project will be a stepping stone in the direction of establishing a full-fledged Numismatic Center in the Society. Hence, the scope of theproject is not limited to mere cataloguing and publishing them but for theoverall benefit of historians, archaeologists, numismatists and public atlarge.
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VI Cost Estimate
An estimated cost of the whole of the project is calculated as under:
No.123456
Heads of ExpenditurePhotography ExpensesRemuneration of scholarsComputer and Related AccessoriesStationery, Xerox and Travelling ExpensesPublication of a 4-color CatalogueIncidental Expenses
Total Cost of the Project (in Indian Rupees)(Rupees Twenty Laks only)
Amount3,00,0004,60,0002,30,000
60,0008,00,0001.50,000
20,00,000/-
A break-up of the Heads of Expenditure is given under:
(1) Photography Expenses
(A) Digital Photography of 11,830 coinsAll the coins will be digitally photographed individually. The break
up of cost is as under:
Details11,830 coins x 2 sides =23,660 images x Rs. 10 per JPEG imageCost per Coin
Total (Rs.) (rounded up)
Cost (Rs.)23,660 images
2,36,600/-20/-
2,36,000/-
All the coin Images will be photographed by the latest Digital Camera,Nikon, Model - CoolPix 8800 with 8 Mega pixels. The digitalphotography (also transparencies in SLR - 35 mm format) will be done byDr. Dilip Rajgor.
(B) Color Transparencies of1,000 coinsColour Transparencies of selected 1,000 coins (2,000 transparencies
for both the sides) will be prepared for final printed catalogue; lectures andpresentations. These will also be useful for printing Greetings Cards,Calendars, etc. This, in turn will yield revenue for the Society.
Details1,000 coins x 2 sides = 2,000 transparenciesTransparency Film — Kodachrome E 100SCost per Transparency
Total cost: 2,000 transparencies x Rs. 32 each
Cost (Rs.)
32/-
64,000/-
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Total Photography Cost:
DetailsTotal Digital Images 23,660(SJ Rs. 10 per image x 11,830 coinsTransparencies(a} Rs. 32 per Transparency X 2,000
Total cost of Photography
Cost in Rs.2,36,000/-
64,000/-
Rs. 3,00,000/-
(2) RemunerationTwo scholars (Dr. Dilip Rajgor and Mr. B V Shetti) will be working
for three proposed Catalogues of coins. These catalogues are classifies as:i) Catalogue of Ancient Coinsii) Catalogue of Medieval Coinsiii) Catalogue of Modern Coins
Each Catalogue is expected to be ready within six months. Eachscholar will be paid a lump sum of Rs. 1,00,000 for preparing a cataloguewithin six months. Two more months will be required to give a finishingtouch to the whole project. A full-time Research Assistant will help thescholars for a period of 20 months. In the end, a four-color volume will beprinted illustrating important coins, entitled Catalogue of Indian Coins inthe Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Bombay. Estimated cost is describedhereunder:
DetailsCatalogue of Ancient CoinsCatalogue of Medieval CoinsCatalogue of Modern Coins2 months for finishing touchA Research Assistant (6,000 x 20 months)
Remuneration1,00,0001,00,0001,00,000
40,0001,20,000
Total (Rs.)
4,60,000/-
(3) Computer and Related Accessories
DetailsPentium IV processor 3.2 GHz, Intel Mother Board, 915 ChipSet ATN, 1 gb RAM, 3 Hard Disks of 200 GB each Ultra ATA- 7200 RPM, 52X CD-Rom, 1.44 MB Floppy drive, 19 inchSamtron Color Monitor, 440 w Speakers, 2 serial/1 parallel ports,32 MB Display Card, Plextor, Internal DVD-Writer 12x,
UMax Scanner, 1220S 600x1200 dpi,HP Laser Printer — 6L,External Modem, US Robotics, 56 kbps,500VA UPS - 20 minutes
Software Designing for CD-ROM versionTanita Weighing Scale
Total Rs.
Amount1,65,000/-
60,000/-5,000/-
2,30,000/-
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(4) Stationery, Xerox and Travelling Expenses
VII Appendix
Specimen of a proposed Index Card
DetailsStationeryXerox (photocopy)Traveling and related expensesComputer Accessories
(5) Publication of the Catalogue
DetailsEstimated cost of printing of the book, Catalogue of IndianCabinet of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Total
Coins in
Total
Rs.
the
Rs.
Amount25,000
5,00015,00015,000
60,000/-
Amount8,00,000
8,00,000/-
Coin Cabinet of the
ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
DynastyKingReign
DenominationMintMint MarkYearMetalWeightReferenceRemarksSourceImage No.
Accession No.: 8219Mughal EmpireAkbar, Jalal-ud-dinAH 963 - 1014AD 1556-16055 Mohurs
A Fish972Gold53.2 gramsRajgor (1991) Type # 1179
: This is the 3rd known coin in the world: Sultanpur Hoard 1878: 2002-1926
Type : Kalima typeRarity: Extremely Rare
Transparency # : 8219
Project prepared by Dr. Dilip Rajgor
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