Madras Mint – Early Coinages – Moghul System – Silver

Rupee – Ahmad Shah 1748 to 1754 – Mint Name: Chinapatan?

The rupee illustrated appeared in the Noble sale 48 (1995), lot 1991, where it was incorrectly attributed to the Emperor Muhammad Shah.

The so-called ‘Madras rupees’ (i.e. with mint name Chinapatan) were struck during the reign of Muhammad Shah for export to Bengal until about 1745/46 but probably in decreasing numbers as evidenced by their scarcity.

The French occupied Madras from September 1746 until August 1749, and during their occupation they demolished the silver mint of the East India Company. The British had moved their minting activities to Fort St. David, where they probably continued to mint Arkat rupees. There is no evidence to suggest that they produced any Madras rupees.

On the return of the East India Company administration to Madras, a silver mint was erected on the site of the former mint and production appears to have commenced in 1754. In August, 1754 a regulation was published which laid down the coins and weights to be used as from 1^st September 1754. The silver coins listed were: Arkat rupee 7 dwts. 8 2/5 grains (=176.4 grains = 11.43 grams); Madras rupee 7 dwts. 11 grains (= 179 grains = 11.59 grams).

Ahmad Shah ruled from 1748 until 1754, so the only date that Madras rupees with his name could have been issued is 1754 and these coins are extremely rare.

The Madras rupee continued to be struck until 1757, after which Arkat rupees only were produced. It is therefore possible that Madras rupees could have been struck in the name of Alamgir II.

On 23^rd December, 1757, the Court of Directors informed the Madras authorities that a new mint had been opened in Calcutta and that, in future, only bullion need be sent to them, rather than coin.

One feature of the Madras rupees is that they all show a star on the reverse.