Pratapgarh State Rajputana Raghunath Singh Copper One Paisa

Pratapgarh State (Rajputana), Ruler: Raghunath Singh, Reign: VS 1947–1986 / 1890–1929 AD, Denomination: One Paisa, Metal: Copper, Weight: 7.31 grams, Diameter: 18.43 mm, Reference: KM#40, About Very Fine, Very Scarce.

Obverse: Nagari legend “सामंत” (Samant) within dotted border.

Reverse: Nagari legend arranged in lines “श्री / राज देव / गढ़ प्रतापगढ़” (Shri Raj Dev Garh Pratapgarh).

This copper paisa was issued under Maharawat Raghunath Singh of Pratapgarh State, a princely state located in the Rajputana Agency of British India. His long reign (1890–1929 AD) falls within the late princely period when many smaller states maintained traditional coinage primarily for local circulation. The use of bold Nagari inscriptions rather than royal portraits reflects the conservative monetary tradition of Rajput states, emphasizing sovereignty through titulature and state identity rather than imagery.

The term “Samant” on the obverse signifies feudal authority, while the reverse legend clearly identifies the issuing authority and capital, Pratapgarh. Such copper paisa coins circulated within the regional economy for petty transactions and represent the continuation of indigenous monetary systems alongside British Indian currency.