Authority to
erect a mint and strike gold coins was granted in 1639. There are many
questions about the identity of the earliest gold pagoda of the EIC. Lingen has
undertaken the most detailed study of these coins, and has reported the
discovery of a specimen that closely resembles that reported by Tavernier and
discussed by Pridmore. This coin is illustrated in the catalogue section.
However, evidence to unequivocally identify this first type of pagoda, remains
elusive, and its identity must remain a matter of speculation for the moment.
The
coins identified in the Pitchfork sale [1] do not
resemble this design very closely and are unlikely to be examples of this
issue.