The Afsharid invasion of India in 1739, led by the brilliant military commander Nader Shah, marked a dramatic turning point in the political and monetary landscape of the Indian subcontinent. Following his decisive victory at the Battle of Karnal and his entry into the Mughal capital of Delhi, one of the earliest manifestations of his absolute sovereignty was the proclamation of the khutbah and the striking of coins in his name. The inscriptions of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah were immediately removed and replaced with eloquent Persian phrases commemorating the legitimacy of the new rule and the power of the conquering monarch. These coins bore slogans and poetic expressions, among the most notable being: *“Sultan hast bar salatin-i jahan, Shah-i Shahan, Nader Sahib Qiran”* (“The Sultan above the rulers of the world, King of Kings, Nader, Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction”). The coinage included both gold mohurs and silver rupees, struck in precise weights and various denominations compatible with the existing monetary system. The famous mint name *Shahjahanabad*—the official name of Delhi at the time—was engraved on these coins to document the location and extent of this new political authority. Nader Shah’s Indian coinage was distinguished by the exceptional purity of its precious metals and the high artistic standards that reflected the skill of the craftsmen working at the royal court. Enormous quantities of gold and silver seized directly from the legendary treasuries of the Mughal emperors were utilized in the minting process. Coin production was not limited to currency intended for trade and military salaries. It also included special commemorative pieces known as *nithar* (presentation or ceremonial coins). These were struck from pure gold and distributed among crowds and dignitaries during celebrations marking Nader Shah’s enthronement in Delhi, further demonstrating his wealth and authority. These coins embodied a unique artistic fusion, combining Safavid and Afsharid calligraphic traditions with the Mughal Indian style of design. They also serve as valuable historical documents recording one of the greatest transfers of wealth in history, an event that later revitalized the Afsharid economy. The minting activity in Delhi lasted only a very brief period, limited to the few months Nader Shah spent in the Indian capital before his withdrawal. Once he departed with immense spoils—including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Peacock Throne—the mint reverted to the name of the Mughal ruler, and Afsharid coin production ceased entirely. The extremely short duration of minting under Afsharid rule in Delhi has made these coins exceptionally rare in today's markets and museum collections. Consequently, Nader Shah’s Indian coinage holds extraordinary significance among historians and numismatists as a silent material witness to the height of Afsharid military glory. #AlMustaqbal_University_First_Among_Private_Universities_in_Iraq