Chattrapati Sri Shivaji Maharaj, Copper 1/3 Paisa, 4.16g, “Swarajya” phase, Obv: Devnagari legend in two lines “Shri Si(va) / Raja”, Rev: Devnagari legend in two lines “Chhatra / Pati” (Unlisted in major publications). Very fine, extremely rare.
The arrangement of obverse legend on this coin is similar to that seen on one of the varieties of Sambhaji, Shivaji’s son and successor. Recent research shows that copper coins with legend ‘Shiva Raja’ were being struck by Shivaji Maharaj from copper imported and sold by the Dutch. This may well be one such coin.