Madras Mint – Early Coinages – Copper Ten Cash (Dudu) 1691 to 1754

The French occupied Madras in 1746. The British continued to run their activities, including minting coins, from Fort St David. Although Madras was returned to the British in 1749, the mint had been destroyed, and the new mint that was consequently built, was not ready until 1754. Thus, coins dated between 1747 and 1753 must have been struck at Fort St David.

All coins in this series are difficult to find in good condition and some dates are not at all easy to find. Valuations depend on whether there is an indisputable date on the coin, and the condition.

The coins can have quite distorted shapes and this is reflected in the range of diameters, with one specimen being almost oblong in shape with a diameter of 22mm at its widest point.