1658-1707 Scarce anonymous 1/2 dam, temp.Aurangzeb , Surat, Mughal Empire

Partial inscriptions:  Mubarak / Falus ("Auspicious coin") //  Zarb Surat. 19mm, 9.70 grams. Surat mint. KM 284.1; cf. Zeno -.

This denomination (1/2 dam) is much less common than the paisa (around 13 grams) or 1/2 paisa (6.5 grams).

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.