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0628 Report of a Mission to Yarkund in 1873 : vol.1
Report of a Mission to Yarkund in 1873 : vol.1 / Page 628 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000196
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CHAPTER XII.

MONEY, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES OF KÂSHGHAR.

MONEY.

The denominations and values of the current coins are these-

2 pal or fill = 1 dârchin or pysa.

25 dârchin = 1 tanga = 4 annas Indian currency.

26 tanga = 1 tilâ = 5 rupees 12 annas.

30 tilâ = 1 yâ.mbii or kirs = 172 rupees 8 annas.

The pûl is a thin copper disc with a square hole in the centre for stringing. It bears a Chinese inscription on each side, and is the only copper coin current. Two of them go to a dre'rckin and fifty to a tanga. The metal appears to be much alloyed with iron, and is of Chinese mintage.

The tanga is a small silver coin, recently issued by the Amir, in the name of the Sultan of Turkey, ' Abdul' aziz Khan (on the obverse), as the coinage of the " protected State of Kâshghar" (on the reverse) . It is said to be of pure silver and worth about six pence. The tied is a gold Coin in the name of ' Abdul' aziz, and bears the same legend as the tanga, simultaneously with which it was issued. Its market value varies between five 'and six rupees.

The ycimbû or him is a silver ingot something the shape of a deep boat with projecting bow and stern. The upper surface is slightly hollowed, and stamped with a Chinese inscription. It is said to be pure silver, and to weigh fifty ser = 30,000 grains English. It is divided into fifths and tenths, called on ser and bes4 ser, respectively, which are of the same shape and stamp, and proportionate size and value.

The Kurs is really an article of merchandize and not a coin, its value depreciating as the value of silver depreciates ; it may be in fact regarded as " bar silver."

Indian Rupees are, at present, but little known in the Yarkand market ; like the silver Kurs they are regarded solely as articles of merchandize, and receive their value as silver in equivalent coinage (i.e., the copper circulating medium).

They suffer, at present, however, from an additional disadvantage in being but little known : that is, they are affected by a variety of circumstances, and their value may fall below the value of silver.

For instance, taking the Kurs to represent 800 Tanga$ as at present, the value of a rupee would be 5 Tangas, whereas it realizes no more than from 4 to 41 Tangas, and is differently priced by individuals according to circumstances.

In exchanging rupees at this moment an actual loss of from 2 annas 9 pies to 1 anna 4 pies is incurred.

Gold in the market may be thus classified :-

I.—The Koten Régk.—This is a small gold bead unstamped; it sells at the present time at the following rate :-

Three sérs 7 miskals, or 3 sérs 8 miskals weight, obtain 1 silver kurs of 50 sérs, i.e., 800 Tangas.

This places the seller of gold at a disadvantage ; should however the value of the Kurs increase so as to represent 1,000 Tangas as formerly, the buyer will then suffer.

It must however be remembered on the other hand that as much as 4 sérs of this gold have been given for a silver Kurs.

II.—Tke Yarkand Régk.—This is of gold obtained in the Yarkand river and washed on the spot ; it sells as follows ;--