Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Bhutan - 1/2 Rupee or Deb - Period 1

Moneta — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:45:46 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Another acquisition of the silver series of Debs from Bhutan, in my attempt to understand the series a little better. There's no "SA" character so maybe it's KM# 2.2 or 2.3.

Bhutan - Pice 1951 - 1955

Moneta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 12:54:33 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Sacred Buddhist symbols, large fish-eye type indicates the variety struck in 1955. With 'DRUK' [Bhutan] and "Sa' [Earth]. Bhutan, a country situated between China and India, is known as Druk Yul or the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” As such, the thunder dragon is a source of pride for the Bhutanese, portrayed on both the national flag and the national emblem. On the Bhutan flag, in particular, the thunder dragon is prominent, divided between an orange-and-yellow background meant to depict equal division between religious and secular power. The dragon itself is meant to represent the purity of the country as a whole — the snarling mouth is a symbol of protection from the gods and the jewels enclosed in the dragon’s claws portray Bhutan’s prosperity and financial security.

Bhutan - Half Rupee, Second Period

Moneta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 12:38:19 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Bhutan - Half Rupee, Second Period ? (1820 - 1835). Rx: 'X' over crescent. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century with the rare exception of a full Rupee KM# A[&B] 23. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf

Bhutan - Silver 1/2 Rupee (Deb) Extra Dot - 1st Period

Moneta — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:46:56 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: A First Period type listed in KM as 1.1, I'm not sure if this is a separate variety but I've seen this type described as an 'extra dot' variety. This exceptional example is a good solid silver type from the 1st Period of coinage. The first period (1790 1840 A.D.) includes coins struck on a Cooch Behar (India) model. This is KM# 1.1 with the 'ball' symbol incorporated into the design. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century with the rare exception of a full Rupee KM# A[&B] 23. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf

Bhutan - 1/2 Silver Rupee (Deb) 1st Period w/Sa

Moneta — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:36:57 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: This exceptional example is a good solid silver type from the 1st Period of coinage. The first period (1790 1840 A.D.) includes coins struck on a Cooch Behar (India) model. This is KM# 2.1 with the 'Sa' symbol incorporated into the design. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from nearby the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf

Bhutan - DEB Half Rupee with Swastika

Moneta — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:18:38 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Type III DEB (Half Rupee, c. 1835 - 1910 A.D.). This is the scarcer type with Swastika. VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf Related history of Cooch Behar (N.India), the design of which the series of Bhutan is based: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Narayana_Cooch%20Behar.pdf

Bhutan - DEB Half Rupee, X and Crescent

Moneta — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:10:49 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Probably a Period III, research continues but Period I & II are listed in KM as silver. VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf Related history of Cooch Behar (N.India), the design of which the series of Bhutan is based: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Narayana_Cooch%20Behar.pdf

Bhutan Half Rupee

Moneta — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:02:22 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Period IV Type (c. 1910 - 1927 A.D.) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf Related history of Cooch Behar (N.India), the design of which the series of Bhutan is based: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Narayana_Cooch%20Behar.pdf