Lunavada State Wakhat Singhji ½ Paisa (Half-Cut Type)

Lunavada Princely State, Wakhat Singhji, Period: c. 1867–1929 CE, Denomination: ½ Paisa, Metal: Copper, Weight: 3.5 grams, Diameter: 22 mm, Shape: Half / cut coin (irregular), Reference: N# 418595, About Very Fine, Very Scarce.

Obverse: Lotus flower design (symbolic floral motif)

Reverse: Plain / cut surface (as coin is physically halved from a full paisa)

This rare half paisa belongs to the princely state of Lunavada State, ruled by Wakhat Singhji during the late 19th and early 20th century under British paramountcy. Due to limited minting resources and the practical need for small change in local markets, full copper paisa coins were often physically cut into halves to create fractional denominations. This method reflects a simple yet effective monetary adaptation used by smaller states. The lotus motif seen on the coin symbolizes purity and traditional Indian culture, a common design element in regional coinage. Such cut coins were not machine-standardized, resulting in irregular shapes and varied weights. Today, surviving examples are considered scarce, as many were lost in circulation, making them valuable to collectors studying Indian princely coinage and local economic practices.