Sikkim - Thutab Namgyel (VS 1931-1968/1874-1911 AD) - Copper Paisa - 4.81g - 22.5mm

Sikkim, Thutab Namgyel (VS 1931-1968/1874-1911 AD), Copper Paisa, 4.81g, 22.5mm, KM#3.1

Obv: Three lined legends "Sri Sri Sri Sikimapati Maharaj", Rev: three lined legend “Sri Sri Sri Sikima Sakar”.

It should be noted that coins of Sikkim had been highly influenced by that of Nepal and similar types of Paisa were also found in Nepal. The inscription was also written in devengari script and bore the Nepali calendar year 1939 to 1942. The weights of Sikkim coins vary from 4.18gms to 5.55gms whereas the copper coins of Nepal range from 4.8gms to 10gms.

The new beginning in the decimal history of currency in Sikkim was short lived. The new coins were accepted as the legal tender in the territories of Nepal. But the inconvenience provided by the traders of Nepal the coins of Sikkim had a setback to face. The Newar traders presented the petition to the Prime Minister of Nepal to put restriction on the Sikkim currency within Nepal territory.

It was in the month of September-October 1885 a letter was send to Lachhimidas Pradhan in Sikkim by Col. Gajraj Singh Thapa forwarding a restriction of the entry of the coins of Sikkim into the boundary of Nepal and said that the pice of Sikkim was found to be lesser in weight than that of Nepal. This was a big blow to the rising economic development of the small state.

The official government of Nepal banned the entry of Sikkimese coins into its territory in 1885, citing their lower weight. This, along with restrictions from the British, caused the Pradhan brothers' coinage venture to fail. No coins are known to have been issued after 1885. Today, these rare coins are highly sought after by collectors.