Mohar: Silver Coin of the Kingdom of Nepal (1768-1932)

Illustrated Specimen Details: Silver 1/4 Mohar

Example Specimen: ¼ mohar, 1895 AD (SE 1817)

Authority: This specimen was issued during the reign of Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, King of Nepal. It represents the continuation of the traditional Nepalese silver standard before the full transition to the rupee.

Inscriptions & Symbols: The obverse and reverse feature traditional Hindu religious ornaments and celestial symbols of the moon and the sun. The date ੧੮੧੭ (1817) is recorded in the Shaka Era (SE), which corresponds to 1895 AD.

1. KINGDOM OF NEPAL (1768-1932): 1 silver mohar = 128 dam copper coins

• AFGHAN EMPIRE (1747-1823): 1 gold mohur = 16 silver rupee coins
• INDIA (Mughal, Princely States, British India): 1 gold mohur = 15-16 silver rupees

The name of the mohar coin originates from the Persian word for "seal" or "mark." In Sanskrit, its cognate carries the same meaning, signifying its role as a certified and stamped unit of precious metal value.

History and Regional Evolution of the Mohar

The mohar (and its linguistic variant, the mohur) was a cornerstone of South Asian numismatics from the 16th century until the early 20th century. While the term shared a common etymology across the region, its application in Nepal differed significantly from its use in the Mughal Empire and British India.

The Mughal Standard: The Gold Mohur

In the Mughal monetary system, the mohur was a prestigious gold denomination introduced by Sher Shah Suri and refined under Akbar the Great. A standard Mughal gold mohur typically weighed approximately 10.8-11 grams. It served as a high-value store of wealth and was used for state-level transactions, while the silver rupee handled general commerce. In India and Afghanistan, the exchange rate generally hovered around 1 gold mohur to 15-16 silver rupees.

The Nepalese Tradition: The Silver Mohar

In the Kingdom of Nepal, the "mohar" took on a distinct role as the primary silver currency unit. Unlike the gold-standard mohur of its neighbors, the Nepalese mohar was a silver coin that formed the basis of the national economy for centuries. It was subdivided into a complex system of copper dam and paisa. The silver mohar remained the dominant circulating medium until the monetary reforms of 1932, when it was officially replaced by the Nepalese rupee at a rate of 2 mohars to 1 rupee.

Numismatic Significance

For collectors, the mohar offers a fascinating study in regional economic adaptation. Mughal issues are prized for their elegant Persian calligraphy and high gold purity, while Nepalese silver mohars are celebrated for their intricate geometric designs, Hindu symbolism, and the unique use of the Shaka Era dating system. Both traditions represent the era before the total standardization of South Asian currency under the British Indian rupee.