Pakistan's First Pattern Coins

The partition of British India in June 1947 and the subsequent achievement of independence for Pakistan and India in August of that year marked a significant turning point in the history of both nations. Amidst the political upheaval and cultural transformation, the newly formed states sought to establish their own identities, which included the creation of distinct national coinage.

Pakistan’s initial foray into coin design took shape shortly after partition, with two distinct patterns of Rupee coins being produced under the guidance of Bernard Sinclair-Jones, the former Master of the Calcutta Mint. Tasked with crafting a monetary symbol for the nascent nation, Sinclair-Jones worked from the Lahore Mint during a tumultuous period characterized by social unrest and violence. Unfortunately, neither of the proposed designs was ultimately adopted, and subsequent riots contributed to the loss of the completed sets, leaving their current locations a mystery.

Pattern #1

Composition: Nickel-Zinc Alloy

Obverse: Crescent and star, value in Urdu at top and English at bottom. Date in Urdu on the left and English on the right of Crescent and Star.

Reverse: Tughra 'حکومت پاکستان' within the circle, "Government of Pakistan" written in the outer circle. It had a milled edge.

Pattern #2

Composition: Nickel-Zinc Alloy

Obverse: It had dates with the "Government of Pakistan" legend written in the outer circle and Tughra 'حکومت پاکستان' within the inner circle.

Reverse: Crescent and star, value in Urdu at top and in English at bottom with small stars on both left and right sides. It had a milled edge.

In late 1947, a third design emerged that marked a departure from its predecessors. This design employed a Copper-Nickel alloy and was notably different from the earlier patterns. The 1 Rupee coin that circulated widely was based on this design, although it remains uncertain whether Sinclair-Jones was involved in its creation. This ambiguity underscores the challenges faced by a newly independent country striving to forge its identity amidst chaos.

Pattern #3

Obverse: Crescent and star, value in Urdu at top and English at bottom and a wreath/sprigs below the English value with two small stars at the edges of the wreath on both sides.

Reverse: It had a Tughra 'حکومت پاکستان' in the middle with the "Government of Pakistan" legend written above it and a wreath/sprigs below with two small stars at the edges of the wreath/sprigs on both sides. Date in English to the right of Tughra. It had a milled edge.

Composition: Cupro-Nickel

The development of coinage during this critical juncture serves as a reflection of the broader aspirations and struggles of Pakistan as it navigated the complexities of independence. National currency, beyond its economic utility, embodies the cultural and historical narratives of a nation, and in Pakistan’s case, it was no different. The initial efforts in coin design illustrate both the ambition and the tumult of a nation in transition, seeking to articulate its newfound sovereignty.