{"product_id":"india-delhi-sultanate-forced-currency-1325-to-1351-ce-india","title":"India, Delhi Sultanate, \"Forced Currency\" - 1325 to 1351 CE - India","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"hh-backorder-notice\" data-hh-notice=\"small-box\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLEASE READ:\u003c\/strong\u003e Our shipment of small display boxes has been delayed. \u003cstrong\u003eSmall display boxes are currently out of stock and are expected to arrive around October 1st.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can still \u003cstrong\u003epre-order items that include a small display box.\u003c\/strong\u003e These items will \u003cstrong\u003enot ship until the display boxes arrive.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre-orders receive $5 off each delayed item.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-stock items in the same order will ship immediately as usual.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThese brass coins were struck under\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e the \u003cstrong\u003eDelhi Sultanate\u003c\/strong\u003e, a late medieval Islamic empire in India. They are often known as \"forced currency\" due to the an edict issued by sultan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMuhammad bin Tughlaq\u003c\/strong\u003e, who attempted to force his citizens to use them in place of silver and gold coins—ending in disastrous results.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as the \"Eccentric Prince\" or the \"Mad Sultan,\" Muhammad bin Tughluq was infamous for his cruelty and his bizarre and inconsistent policies. The sultan implemented severe punishments and heavy taxation, which was often difficult if not impossible to pay—for example, crops were taxed at a staggering 50%.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis came to a head in 1330, after the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate and a failed mission to Deogiri made the state treasury devoid of precious metals for currency. Muhammad bin Tughluq then issued these coins as a token currency—coins of brass or copper that were to be equal value to gold and silver coinage. This strategy proved a miserable failure as these base metals were available in everyday households and citizens forged counterfeits, causing the value of the currency to “be as worthless as stones.” People were unwilling to exchange their gold and silver coins for the token coinage, ultimately causing the Sultan to have to buy back both the real and counterfeit currency at great expense. This, along with a famine that followed, severely weakened his empire. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eEach includes a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"History Hoard","offers":[{"title":"Include display case (+$0.00)","offer_id":67691415011459,"sku":"cbr1791347637739","price":19.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"No display - just the coin and certificate\/info card (save $15.00 each)","offer_id":67691415044227,"sku":"qwj1791347637747","price":15.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/8504\/7939\/files\/india-delhi-sultanate-forced-currency---1325-to-1351-ce---india_1.png?v=1791347644","url":"https:\/\/www.zavuneri.com\/products\/india-delhi-sultanate-forced-currency-1325-to-1351-ce-india","provider":"Zavuneri","version":"1.0","type":"link"}