Ancient Coin Review 111 : Johor Sultanate Katun / Cash ( 18th Century)

This is a tin coin from Johore Sultanate era. This type of coin is called cash or katun. It is undated but probably from the 18th Century based on the classification made by Major Fred Pridmore. In Saran Singh's this is classified as Group C- Hexagonal-class IV.

Looking at the Arabic calligraphy used, its quite tricky as the calligraphy is compressed to fit on the coin face. However it has the resemblance to Thuluth & Sini. Or probably this is how Malay calligraphy was derived.
Obverse :  هذا المصروف
                  This is petty money
Reverse : دار الجوهره
                  City of Johor

Johor is located in the southern tip of Peninsular of Malaysia as well as the most southern point of the Asian Continent. The name of Johor originated from the Arabic word Jawhar which means jewel. It is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Takzim ( Abode of Dignity). The Sultanate of Johor was founded by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II , the son of exiled last Sultan of Malacca ( Sultan Mahmud Shah) in 1528 CE. Johor was part of Malaccan Sultanate prior to Malacca occupation by Portuguese in 1511 CE.

See my other Katun below :
Round Johor Katun 

Coin Spec


Obverse :  هذا المصروف
                  This is petty money
Reverse : دار الجوهره
                  City of Johor

Weight : 1.43 gm
Dim : 21mm
Rarity : R
Ref : SS30
Ref : Saran's pg 123