Two Arrested in Pune for Attempting to Sell Mughal Coins

In a surprising turn of events in Pune, two men were arrested after attempting to sell a collection of Mughal-era coins they discovered during excavation at a construction site. The police uncovered 216 coins, valued at approximately ₹70,000, leading to an investigation into their origins. The coins, dating back to the reign of Aurangzeb, were intended for sale without proper reporting to authorities. As the investigation unfolds, one accomplice remains at large, while the coins have been handed over to the archaeology department for further examination. This incident highlights the importance of reporting archaeological finds to the relevant authorities.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 1, 2026, 05:47 IST

Discovery of Ancient Coins

During excavation at a construction site in Chikhli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, two individuals stumbled upon a stash of gold coins. Instead of reporting their find, they attempted to sell the coins secretly, but their plan failed, leading to their arrest by local authorities.

According to police reports, a total of 216 gold coins were unearthed at the site. Upon examination, it was revealed that these coins date back to the Mughal era, with an estimated value of around ₹70,000 and a total weight of 2357 grams.

Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash provided details about the incident, stating that a tip-off led police officer Zameer Tamboli to suspect Saddam Khan Pathan, a resident of Vitthal Nagar slum, who was allegedly trying to sell the coins. Following him, Tamboli searched Pathan's residence, where a significant number of coins were discovered. During questioning, Pathan disclosed the entire story to the police.

Pathan explained that his father-in-law, Mubarak Sheikh, and brother-in-law, Mevna Irfan Sheikh, found the coins while working at the construction site. They had kept the discovery a secret, intending to sell the coins for profit. Pathan was acting on their suggestion to sell the coins. Both Saddam Pathan and Mubarak Sheikh have been detained, while another accomplice remains at large and is being pursued by the police.

These coins are believed to be from the Mughal period, specifically between 1720 and 1750, during Aurangzeb's reign. They were typically minted in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and feature inscriptions in Urdu and Arabic. The coins have been handed over to the archaeology department, and investigations are ongoing at the construction site where they were found.