Afsharid. Nadir Shah as king. Silver 6 Shahi Isfahan Mint – AH 1152 (AD 1739) (No reserve price)

ISLAMIC, Persia – Afsharid Dynasty

Nadir Shah, AH 1148–1160 / AD 1736–1747
Silver 6 Shahi – Isfahan Mint – AH 1152 (AD 1739)
A Rare and Historically Important Date

Obverse:
Arabic inscription "السلطان نادر" (al-Sultan Nadir) in three lines, enclosed within a circular border — directly naming Nadir Shah as the ruling sovereign.

Reverse:
The royal formula "خلد الله ملكه" (khalada Allah mulkahu – “May God perpetuate his sovereignty”) surrounded by marginal legends. The mint name Isfahan and the date 1152 AH appear in the exergue.

Specifications:

Diameter: 16 mm

Weight: 6.90 g

Condition: Very Fine (VF) / attractive tone

Rarity: Rare date

Historical Context and Significance of the Date AH 1152 (AD 1739):

The year AH 1152 (AD 1739) marks a pivotal moment in the history of Nadir Shah’s reign — it was the year of his legendary invasion of the Mughal Empire in India, one of the most audacious and successful military campaigns in Persian history.

In 1739, Nadir Shah marched into northern India, defeating the Mughal forces at the Battle of Karnal, and soon after entered and plundered Delhi, the imperial capital. The conquest brought Persia untold riches, including the Peacock Throne, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and other famed treasures. This event dramatically boosted Nadir Shah’s prestige and temporarily restored Persia’s status as a dominant regional power.

The striking of this 6 Shahi silver coin in Isfahan during AH 1152 closely aligns with this moment of imperial triumph. Isfahan, once the splendid Safavid capital, retained its importance under Nadir Shah as a cultural and administrative center. The coin's issue at this time serves as both a monetary artifact and a political statement, reinforcing Nadir Shah’s sovereignty at the height of his power.