Iran, Safavid, Silver Larin, popularly known as fish hook money. Weight : 5.19 Grams

Description

Iran, Safavid, Silver Larin,
popularly known as fish hook money.
Weight : 5.19 Grams
Note : A silver coin bent like a hairpin or a fish-hook and then stamped on either side, this unit of currency was named after the thriving 16th-Century trade centre of Lar in Iran. It was first minted by the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp and subsequently, the rise of strong trade relationships between Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India and China led to the proliferation of the Larin. It was popular with traders for two reasons: One, it was accepted in most ports and allowed goods to travel freely without the complication of dealing with foreign exchange. Two, the Larin was very easy to mint. Apart from Iran, it was minted in India, Ceylon and the Maldives.

Travellers from the 17th century give accounts of the Larin being the ?chief currency of the Malabar Coast in India?, including Khambat in Gujarat. “SAVE HERITAGE SAVE COINS”