Police Recover 216 Mughal-Era Gold Coins Found During Excavation At Construction Site In Pune’s Chikhali

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police in Maharashtra have seized 216 Mughal-era gold coins dating back to the early 18th century, reports Indian Express.

As per the report, the coins were found by some construction workers during excavation at a construction site in Chikhli a few months ago. Inspector Shailesh Gaikwad’s team from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police’s Crime Branch had received information that one Saddam Salar Pathan had in his possession some gold coins that were found during excavation at a construction site.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash told the newspaper daily that a search was conducted based on the tip-off and 216 gold coins weighing 2,357 grams were recovered.

The accused Pathan’s father-in-law and brother-in-law had found the damaged copper vessel which contained the coins during excavations. Saddam reportedly kept the coins at home.

Krishna Prakash also said that all the coins were recovered as per the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. Additionally, an offence will be registered under the Indian Treasure Trove Act after officials from the Archaeological Department file a report with the police.

Inspector Gaikwad informed that as per the preliminary observations by the Archaeological Department, the gold coins date back to the Mughal era. They were issued by Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah between the time period of 1720 to 1750.