1658-1707 Scarce 1/2 dam naming Aurangzeb , Surat mint, Mughal Empire

Partial inscriptions: Aurangzeb / Shahi / Falus // Zarb Surat. Surat mint, possibly undated type. 19mm, 10.40 grams. Surat mint. KM 284.1 (incorrect description); cf. Zeno 30346.

The later Mughal bronze coinage is very difficult to understand, as there are multiple weight standards and the coins are poorly made and thus difficult to attribute and date. Furthermore, too few coins remain, and their study is thus difficult. These coins of Aurangzeb are inscribed "falus" (which seems to be a Mughal generic name for a copper coin), but they fit the earlier "dam" standard of around 20 grams and they are usually called "1/2 dam". This example is in high grade for the type, with the name of the mint clear.