Nepalese coins identify - how to read

Nepalese numerals and dates

Nepali and English digits

Nepal has used more variations of numerals on their coins than any other nation. The chart below illustrates some variations encompassing the last four centuries

 

 

Saka Era (SE)

Up until 1888AD all coins of the Gorkha Dynasty were dated in the Saka era (SE). To convert from Saka to AD take Saka date and add 78 to arrive at the AD date. Coins dated with this era have SE before the date in the following listing.

 

Bikram Samvat Era (VS)

From 1888AD most copper coins were dated in the Bikram Samvat (VS) era. To convert take VS date - 57 = AD date. Coins with this era have VS before the year in the listing. With the exception of a few gold coins struck in 1890 & 1892, silver and gold coins only changed to the VS era in 1911AD, but now this era is used for all coins struck in Nepal.

 

 

Monetary system

Many of the mohars (mohur) circulated in Tibet as well as in Nepal, and on a number of occasions coins were struck from bullion supplied by the Tibetan authorities. The smaller denominations never circulated in Tibet, but some of the mohars were cut for use as small change in Tibet. In these listings only major changes in design have been noted. There are numerous minor varieties of ornamentation or spelling. With a few exceptions, most all coins were struck at Kathmandu.

 

COPPER

Initially the copper paisa was not fixed in value relative to the silver coins, and generally fluctuated in value from1/32 mohar in 1865AD to around 1/50 mohar after 1880AD, and was fixed at that value in 1903AD. 4 Dam = 1 Paisa 2 Paisa = 1 Dyak, Adhani

 

COPPER and SILVER

Decimal Series 100 Paisa = 1 Rupee Although the value of the copper paisa was fixed at 100 paisa to the rupee in 1903, it was not until 1932 that silver coins were struck in the decimal system.

 

GOLD COINAGE

Nepalese gold coinage, until recently, did not carry any denominations and was traded for silver, etc. at the local bullion exchange rate. The three basic weight standards used in the following listing are distinguished for convenience, although all were known as Asarphi (gold coin) locally as follows: GOLD MOHAR 5.60 g multiples and fractions TOLA 12.48 g multiples and fractions GOLD RUPEE or ASHRPHI/ASARFI 11.66 g multiples and fractions (Reduced to 10.00 g in 1966). In some instances the gold and silver issues were struck from the same dies.

 

 

 

Nepali coins design

Obverse

Shree Shree, Shree 5 Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, 64 dots around coins represent 64 Yoginies (Goddesses), Religious emblems like Crescent, Sun, Spinning wheel, Conch, Lotus, Mace and Trident, Year 2058 BS

 

Reverse

64 dots similar to obverse, Middle circle reads Shree Shree Shree Gorakha Nath, Inner circle reads Shree Bhawani (Goddess Durga), Asarfi (gold coin), Nepal and Khadga (double-edged sword)