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* I Catalogue of Indian Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai A Proposal February 2006 The Asiatic Socie
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I
Catalogue of Indian Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
A
Proposal February 2006
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall, Mumbai (India)
Phone: +91-22-2266 0956 Fax: +91-22-2266 5139
SYNOPSIS I II III IV V VI VII
Abstract Introduction Methodology Duration of the Project Scope and Significance of the Project Cost Estimate Appendices
I
Abstract
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Numismatics is an important tool in the hands of a historian. Coins not only provide political information like names and titles of the issuing kings and their predecessors but also throw a flood of light on other historical aspects like social conditions, religious tolerance, language, script, economic development like rise and fall of an empire, etc. Such fossilized tablets of history are lying in public and private museums and institutions unattended. This is mainly due to the scarcity of experts on one hand and dearth of fund on the other. A scientific study of these coins will open a new vista of research for historians and numismatists. Hence, a systematic catalogue of these coins is needed which will also highlight the treasure of India.
II
Introduction
The Asiatic Society was established in 1804. The aim of the Society was to provide a platform to Indologists working on different aspects of Indian history and culture. In due course, the Society gained such a reputation that the then Government of India started supplying hoards of coins unearthed in different parts of the Indian subcontinent. This was the main supply of coins for the Society that helped in building a substantial collection of 11,830 coins. This unique numismatic collection includes 643 gold coins and rest in metals like silver, copper, lead and billon. The coin cabinet covers a range of coins of important dynasties like Pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, PostMauryan Punch-marked coins; the Kushans; the Kshatrapas; the Satavahanas; the Guptas; Sultanates like Delhi Sultanate; the Great Mughals; the Princely States and coins of the European countries like the Indo-Danish, Indo-Dutch, Indo-French, Indo-Portuguese, the East India Company and of the British. Also included are some of the coins of the Middle East, European countries and America. The Society also houses some of the extremely rare coins like the 5 Tola Gold Mohur of Akbar the Great (illustrated in the Appendix 1) and some of the very rare punchmarked coins from the famous Sultanpur-Wai Hoard of Satara, Maharashtra. Asiatic Coin Proposal
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Although these coins are properly stored in paper envelopes and kept in a safe vault, what is needed is a proper study and publication for the posterity. A well-studied catalogue of these coins will be helpful for the numismatists and historians on one hand and to ever-growing community of coin collectors on the other hand. Such a catalogue will also put these coins in their right place, i.e. in the hands of numismatic community to admire study and analyze the metallic tablets of Indian Heritage. The present Project revolves around this millennium task of classifying, cataloguing and publishing the unique collection in the cabinet of 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 in seconds for a query like, "silver Rupees of Mughal Emperor Akbar issued from Akbarabad mint (modern Agra)". > Preparing Digital Index Cards for all the coins classified (a sample of the proposed card is attached herewith). A hardcopy of the Index Cards will be available in the Library so a research scholar can go through it and 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 Project
The classification and cataloguing of the collection is expected to be complete within twenty months. However, publication of the catalogue will take some more time.
V
Scope and Significance of the Project
The project is important for a number of reasons. The Asiatic Society is going to be the first institution in India whose complete coin collection will be digitally recorded with all the major coins classified and published in lull color. Moreover, the entire collection will be available on CDROM. Secondly; the catalogues will be useful to historians and numismatists on one hand and the coin community on the other. Finally, the project will be a stepping stone in the direction of establishing a fullfledged Numismatic Center in the Society. Hence, the scope of the project is not limited to mere cataloguing and publishing them but for the overall benefit of historians, archaeologists, numismatists and public at large. Asiatic Coin Proposal
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VI
Cost Estimate
An estimated cost of the whole of the project is calculated as under: No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Heads of Expenditure Photography Expenses Remuneration of scholars Computer and Related Accessories Stationery, Xerox and Travelling Expenses Publication of a 4-color Catalogue Incidental Expenses Total Cost of the Project (in Indian Rupees) (Rupees Twenty Laks only)
Amount 3,00,000 4,60,000 2,30,000 60,000 8,00,000 1.50,000 20,00,000/-
A break-up of the Heads of Expenditure is given under:
(1)
Photography Expenses
(A)
Digital Photography of 11,830 coins All the coins will be digitally photographed individually. The break up of cost is as under: Details Cost (Rs.) 11,830 coins x 2 sides = 23,660 images 23,660 images x Rs. 10 per JPEG image 2,36,600/Cost per Coin 20/Total (Rs.) (rounded up) 2,36,000/All the coin Images will be photographed by the latest Digital Camera, Nikon, Model - CoolPix 8800 with 8 Mega pixels. The digital photography (also transparencies in SLR - 35 mm format) will be done by Dr. Dilip Rajgor. (B)
Color Transparencies of1,000 coins Colour Transparencies of selected 1,000 coins (2,000 transparencies for both the sides) will be prepared for final printed catalogue; lectures and presentations. These will also be useful for printing Greetings Cards, Calendars, etc. This, in turn will yield revenue for the Society. Details 1,000 coins x 2 sides = 2,000 transparencies Transparency Film — Kodachrome E 100S Cost per Transparency Total cost: 2,000 transparencies x Rs. 32 each
Asiatic Coin Proposal
Cost (Rs.) 32/64,000/-
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Total Photography Cost: Details Total Digital Images 23,660 (SJ Rs. 10 per image x 11,830 coins Transparencies (a} Rs. 32 per Transparency X 2,000 Total cost of Photography
(2)
Cost in Rs. 2,36,000/64,000/Rs. 3,00,000/-
Remuneration
Two 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 Coins ii) Catalogue of Medieval Coins iii) Catalogue of Modern Coins Each Catalogue is expected to be ready within six months. Each scholar will be paid a lump sum of Rs. 1,00,000 for preparing a catalogue within six months. Two more months will be required to give a finishing touch to the whole project. A full-time Research Assistant will help the scholars for a period of 20 months. In the end, a four-color volume will be printed illustrating important coins, entitled Catalogue of Indian Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Bombay. Estimated cost is described hereunder: Details Catalogue of Ancient Coins Catalogue of Medieval Coins Catalogue of Modern Coins 2 months for finishing touch A Research Assistant (6,000 x 20 months)
Remuneration 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 40,000 1,20,000
Total (Rs.)
4,60,000/-
(3) Computer and Related Accessories Details Pentium IV processor 3.2 GHz, Intel Mother Board, 915 Chip Set ATN, 1 gb RAM, 3 Hard Disks of 200 GB each Ultra ATA - 7200 RPM, 52X CD-Rom, 1.44 MB Floppy drive, 19 inch Samtron Color Monitor, 440 w Speakers, 2 serial/1 parallel ports, 32 MB Display Card, Plextor, Internal DVD-Writer 12x,
Amount 1,65,000/-
UMax Scanner, 1220S 600x1200 dpi, HP Laser Printer — 6L, External Modem, US Robotics, 56 kbps, 500VA UPS - 20 minutes Software Designing for CD-ROM version Tanita Weighing Scale Total Rs.
Asiatic Coin Proposal
60,000/5,000/2,30,000/-
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(4)
Stationery, Xerox and Travelling Expenses Details
Stationery Xerox (photocopy) Traveling and related expenses Computer Accessories Total Rs.
(5)
Amount 25,000 5,000 15,000 15,000 60,000/-
Publication of the Catalogue
Details Estimated cost of printing of the book, Catalogue of Indian Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai Total Rs.
Amount 8,00,000 8,00,000/-
VII Appendix Specimen of a proposed Index Card
Coin Cabinet of the ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI Dynasty King Reign Denomination Mint Mint Mark Year Metal Weight Reference Remarks Source Image No. Transparency #
Mughal Empire Akbar, Jalal-ud-din AH 963 - 1014 AD 1556-1605 5 Mohurs
Accession No.: 8219
A Fish 972 Type : Kalima type Gold Rarity: Extremely Rare 53.2 grams Rajgor (1991) Type # 1179 : This is the 3 r d known coin in the world : Sultanpur Hoard 1878 : 2002-1926 : 8219 Project prepared by Dr. Dilip Rajgor
Asiatic Coin Proposal
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