2023-12-12 Tue

Madras Presidency was established in 1639 and in 1641; Fort St. George became the main factory on the East Coast. A mint was set up at Fort St. George to produce coins in the Vijaynagar design.

The Madras coinage by the mid-1800s was derived from two distinct systems, namely the South Indian coinage made of copper and gold, and the Moghul coinage made of silver.

The Madras Presidency of East India Company issued this 3 Swami Gold Pagoda weighing 3.4g. The obverse of the coin features Tirupati Balaji in the center, flanked by his wives Shri Devi and Bhu Devi and the reverse of the coin bears Granulated Field.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction