Indian Tipu Sultan Coin, .50 Paise, Elephant Motif

Swirling vines and a ring of dots, with the elephant hidden in the curls.

This Tipu Sultan copper coin, half paise, with an elephant motif is from Karnataka, India. Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore from 1782 to 1799, is remembered for resisting the British East India Company in the Anglo-Mysore wars and for his military and administrative innovations. Thick, slightly angular coin in dark brown. Curling, leaf-like scrolls fill the center, and a ring of small dots circles the edge. The raised lines are soft with wear, and the metal glints reddish where it is rubbed. It is 0.75 inches in diameter.

All curls and dots, and not a straight line in sight.