1330CE (730AH) Delhi Sultanate 1/2 Tanka, Forced Token Currency, Muhammad Bin Tughluq

Obverse

Translation: Obey Allah and obey the prophet and those in authority among you.

Reverse

Translation: If there were no sultan verily the people would devour each other.

Weight: 7.50g

Diameter: 17mm

In 1330, Muhammad Bun Tughluq attempted to introduce fiduciary currency to Delhi; replacing circulating silver coins with equivalently valued copper token coins. No safeguards against forgery were taken with these tokens, however, causing an influx of fakes in the treasury. This destroyed Delhi's monetary credibility, inhibiting trade with Central Asia and forcing the recall and reimbursement of all circulating copper tokens by the treasury. This, among other blunders and policies, led to the downfall of Delhi's central authority in India.