About the Book
The coinage of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan represents a unique confluence of political assertion, military ambition, and monetary innovation. These coins are more than metal; they are chronicles of a transitional moment in South Indian history when the Mysore Kingdom rose to resist colonial expansion and asserted its sovereignty not just through battlefields, but through mints, symbols, and script. For over a century, the most referenced guide to this numismatic legacy was J R Henderson’s The Coins of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, published in 1921. Henderson’s work was pioneering for its time, and its clarity and structure have served as a foundation for collectors and scholars alike. However, much has changed in the field since then.
In the last few decades, new discoveries, enhanced access to archival material, digitized museum records, and an increasingly active collector community have brought to light a wide array of coins not documented in Henderson’s catalogue. Additional mints, both official and vassal, have been identified. New typologies have surfaced. Inscriptions once dismissed as blundered have been re-read, weights re-verified, and dates realigned using both Hijri and Mauludi calendrical systems. The understanding of the political context in which these coins were struck, across regions like Cuddapah, Dindigul, Chitradurga, and Gooty, has deepened significantly. It was with this backdrop that the need for a new, comprehensive, and updated catalogue became clear. This book aims to be that modern reference. It presents an expansive catalogue of the coinage issued during the reigns of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.
About the Authors
Purnanand B. Sanket, born in Mysore, India, developed a deep interest in numismatics early in life, particularly focusing on the coinage of Ancient Karnataka and Mysore. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and later completed a Master’s in Numismatics and Archaeology from Mumbai University in 2015. His passion for historical research led him to earn a Post Graduate Diploma in Manuscriptology and Palaeography from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in 2020. In recognition of his dedication to Mysore coinage, Sanket was awarded the prestigious Nicholas Lowick Fellowship by the Royal Numismatic Society (UK) in 2014, which enabled him to study important collections across British and European museums. He continues to contribute to the numismatic field as a cofounder of the Centre of Indian Numismatic Studies (COINS) and holds life memberships in the Numismatic Society of India, the Mumbai Coin Society, and the Karnataka Numismatics Society. His articles and research papers have been published in leading numismatic journals, including the Numismatic Digest, the Oriental Numismatic Society, and the South Indian Numismatic Society. Sanket’s meticulous scholarship and passion for Mysore coinage bring academic depth and precision to this volume on the coinage of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.
Heinz Bons, from Kevelaer, Germany, is an IT consultant with a distinguished career in software quality assurance and systems consulting. Alongside his professional pursuits, Heinz nurtured a lifelong fascination with coins, which began with his first acquisition as a young man. Over the years, his numismatic interests steadily deepened, particularly in the coinage of Southeast Asia and India. From the beginning Mysore was one of his favourite coins areas for collection. A long-standing member of the Oriental Numismatic Society, Heinz has actively shared his expertise with the global numismatic community, including delivering a lecture on Mysore coinage at the 1992 ONS meeting in Leiden. His approach combines technical precision with a passion for historical detail, and through his work on this book, he brings a structured, analytical lens to the study and cataloguing of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan’s coinage.
Mohit Kapoor, born and raised in Mumbai, India, was introduced to the world of numismatics at a young age by his father, Shri Rameet Kapoor, an avid collector. Captivated by the history and artistry of coins, Mohit soon developed a collection of his own, which has grown to include coins from the Vijayanagar Empire, Mughal rulers, princely states, British India, and global coinages. He holds a Master’s degree in Numismatics and Archaeology from Mumbai University and has made significant contributions to the field as a researcher, auctioneer, and author. He co-authored the well-regarded book The Nawabs and Kings of Awadh and their Coinage in 2018, a richly illustrated volume that has been widely referenced. In Coinage of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, Mohit provided valuable inputs throughout the research and cataloguing process, contributing to the structure and clarity of the work. His keen eye for detail and practical understanding of coinage have helped refine the catalogue and enhance the overall presentation. As the Director of Imperial Auctions, he has played a key role in shaping the numismatic auction landscape in India. Mohit is also the Regional Secretary for South Asia of the Oriental Numismatic Society and the founder of the Centre of Indian Numismatic Studies (COINS), an NGO dedicated to promoting numismatic knowledge across India. His active involvement in numismatic exhibitions, lectures, and collaborative research continues to enrich the numismatic community.
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