Andy H. writes: My father has a coin from the Indian princely states, it is a Nazarana (2 Rupees). The “World Coins” book says very little about its worth. Only that it is rare. Do you have any information on this? The date is AH 1288.
The Nazarana issues were coins struck in copper, silver or gold specially minted for use as gifts to the local ruler. It was traditional to offer these gifts as thanks for allowing an audience. Since the Nazarana issues were produced in all the Indian Princely States you would have to be more specific about what state your coin represented. Most of the Nazarana issues are One Rupee coins. Two Rupees issues and higher are scarce to rare. For example, the Bhopal AH1286 2 Nazarana Rupees brings from $300-$600. The Baroda 1288AH Nazarana Rupee is very rare and has no recent auction records as far as I know. If yours is the latter, I suggest placing it in an international auction in the U.S. or Europe. It should bring a very handsome price.
