11 Nisan 2011 Pazartesi

FIRST COINS OF BHUTAN - THE SILVER AND COPPER DEB RUPEES

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Bhutan silver 1/2 (Deb) Rupee coinBhutan copper 1/2 (Deb) RupeeThe 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.