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Madras Mint Early Coinages – Silver, Fanam et infra 1690 to 1763

 

Full standing figure of Vishnu, within a beaded border.

Two interlinked Cs, with one, two or three dots. Surrounded by a beaded border.

 

 

Double Fanam

Fanam

Half Fanam

Official Weight (g)

2.07

1.03

0.51

Actual Weight (g)

2.00-2.08

1.00-1.05

0.48

Actual Diameter (mm)

9.1-11.3

7.8-9.4

7.1-7.9

Composition

Silver

 

Catalogue

Cat No.

Photo Link

Pr. No.

Denomination

Obv

Rev

Provenance

Comments

Rarity

1.18

20.

15

Double fanam

A

I

Ste

Three dots on reverse.

S

1.19

21.

-

A

II

 

Two dots on Reverse. Usually only one visible.

S

1.20

22.

-

B

II

Ste

Same weight but cruder design (as later issue). Only one dot visible on specimens examined, but could be two on specimens showing full die impression.

R

1.21

23.

16

Single fanam

A

III

Ste

One dot on reverse.

S

1.22

24.

 

A

IV

 

Two dots on reverse. One in centre and one between ends of C. Reported by Wiggins.

S

-

25.

-

Single Fanam Forgery

A

III

Ste

Very crude figure.

RRR

1.23

26.

17

Half fanam

A

?

RJ (HC), Archie Maru

The ANS apparently has one, Ref: 1973.56.1232

NR

 

Obverse Varieties

Shape of Figure

The shape of the figure varies. Normally a full figure is visible. On some coins a cruder figure is shown and is only partially visible.

 

 

A

B

Shape of Figure

Normal

Cruder

 

Reverse Varieties

Dots

There may be three, two or one dots visible

 

 

I

II

III

IV

Dots

Three

Two. Between ends of each C

One

Two. One in centre & one between ends of C