ANCIENT SILVER COINS Value & Appraisal

I found these 2 silver…

I found these 2 silver coins on the ground while raking up leaves. I need to know all about these 2 coins. Their identification, where they are from, Ancient, Medieval or Token, Dates, etc. and how much are they worth. I stated that these were not for sale. However, if these coins are worth a decent amount, then I may sell them. Ty!

Ancient Indian Or Indo-Islamic Silver Coins

Thank you for the images and detailed description. Based on the visual characteristics, these appear to be ancient Indian or Indo-Islamic silver coins, likely from the medieval Sultanate or early Mughal period. Here’s a breakdown of what you have and its potential value:

Preliminary Identification:

Type:

Silver coinage from India, possibly Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE), Deccan Sultanates, or early Mughal Empire (16th century).
The calligraphic script appears to be Persian or Arabic, common in Islamic coinage of South Asia.
The irregular shape and hand-hammered style indicate they were struck by hand, typical of early Islamic and Indian coins.

Material:

Silver, verified by appearance and typical for regional coinage.
Weight: 3.2 grams — aligns with denominations such as a tanka (common in the Sultanate period) or rupee fractionals later on.

Design Features Noted:

Calligraphic elements with visible Arabic script, possibly including religious phrases or names of sultans.
One side may feature the name of the issuing ruler, the other possibly a mint name or date (Hijri calendar) — though these are partially worn or off-flan.

Likely Historical Context:

1. Delhi Sultanate or Mughal Empire:

Many similar coins come from rulers like Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, or Akbar the Great, whose coinage featured Islamic script and symbols, typically struck in silver.

2. Regional Sultanates (Deccan, Gujarat, Malwa):

These states issued similar silver coins from the 14th–17th centuries, sometimes with more abstract or symbolic design elements.

Estimated Market Value (As of 2024):

Grade

Description

Estimated Value (Per Coin)

Fair

Heavily worn, partial inscriptions

$15–$30

Good (your condition)

Legible calligraphy, identifiable features

$30–$70

Very Fine/Identified Ruler

Fully readable inscriptions, attributed to ruler and mint

$75–150+ depending on rarity

Note: A full identification (ruler, mint, and date) can increase the value significantly. Coins attributed to famous rulers like Akbar or rare sultanates can fetch higher prices at auction or collector markets.

Recommendation for Professional Appraisal:

To get a precise identification and valuation, consider:

Consulting a numismatist who specializes in Islamic or Indian medieval coinage.
Submitting to online forums such as:
- Zeno.ru (specializes in Islamic/Asian coins)
- Numista (catalog + community help)
- Forum Ancient Coins
Contacting professional dealers like:
- Stephen Album Rare Coins
- Spink & Son
- Classical Numismatic Group (CNG)

In regards to your excellent…

In regards to your excellent question - “Which side of these coins is considered the front and/or reverse and right side up and down?”

Identifying the obverse (front) and reverse (back) of ancient coins can be tricky, especially when dealing with non-Western or pre-modern coinage like the ones in your images. Based on your photos, here's how to interpret them:

1. General Rule for Ancient Coins

Obverse (front): Typically shows the ruler’s name, title, or bust, or is considered the principal side by tradition.
Reverse (back): Often contains secondary inscriptions, symbols, or marks of the mint.

2. Analyzing Your Coins

Your coins appear to be medieval Islamic or Indo-Islamic silver coins, possibly from the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, or a related regional dynasty. These coins often have Arabic or Persian inscriptions with artistic calligraphy.

Top Coin (in first image)

Obverse: Most likely the side with the more centralized and elaborate calligraphy, possibly containing a ruler’s name or title.
Reverse: The side with either fewer inscriptions or more fragmented script, sometimes including a date or mint name.

Second Coin (in first image)

Based on what I can see, the lower coin has an ornate inscription on one side and a more grid-like or bordered design on the other.
The more stylized script side is typically the obverse.

Orientation (Right Side Up)

To determine "up" and "down" on coins with Arabic or Persian script:

Arabic/Persian is read right to left.
Look for dots, diacritical marks, or curves — these usually help align the text.
When oriented properly, the script should flow horizontally from right to left and not appear upside-down or vertically stacked.

Summary

The side with the most complete or formal-looking calligraphy is usually the obverse (front).
The less ornate or abbreviated inscription is the reverse (back).
Use the direction of Arabic script (right-to-left) to find the correct upright position.

ANCIENT SILVER COINS