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French India Coins

The monetary history of French India is a fascinating chapter in colonial numismatics. During its existence as a French territory, which extended from the 17th century to the mid-20th century, French India underwent several changes in its monetary system, reflecting both European influence and local traditions.

Coins used in French India

Initially, French India used a variety of coins, including silver fanons and copper cash. In the 19th century, the French Indian franc was introduced, which coexisted with the Indian rupee. This franc had a fixed parity with the rupee, facilitating trade between the French and British territories. Coins minted for French India often featured designs that combined French and Indian elements, such as the Gallic cockerel along with local motifs.

Numismatic milestones

One of the most significant milestones in the numismatics of French India was the issuance of banknotes by the Bank of Indochina beginning in 1875. These banknotes, denominated in rupees, featured texts in French and Tamil. Another important event was the minting of special coins for Pondicherry at the Paris Mint in 1836, marking a special recognition of this territory. The monetary transition during India's independence in 1954 is also a period of great interest to collectors, with limited issues and transitional coins now highly sought after pieces.

If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection from this list. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.

French India is a country that does not exist today. It is now part of the India coins.

The most valuable coins

The most valuable French India coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

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The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Coin Catalog

Swapping available In my collection

1 doudou (Pondichery)

FO#22583 KM#35
Year: 1715
Weight: 4,20 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 14,50 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 rupee (Surat)

FO#22573 KM#76
Year: 1809
Weight: 11,40 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter:
Edge:

1 nazarana rupee (Arcot)

FO#22593 KM#16
Year: 1765
Weight: 11,40 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 33,00 mm
Edge:

1 pagoda (Pondichery)

FO#22570 KM#50
Year: 1715
Weight: 3,40 g
Composition: Gold
Diameter:
Edge:

1 pagoda (Pondichery)

FO#22569 KM#49
Year: 1715
Weight: 3,76 g
Composition: Gold
Diameter: 12,00 mm
Edge:

1 doudou (Karikal)

FO#22592 KM#60
Year: 1740
Weight: 3,20 g
Composition: Copper
Diameter:
Edge:

1 pagoda (Yanaon)

FO#22574 KM#69
Year: 1715
Weight: 3,40 g
Composition: Gold
Diameter:
Edge:

1/2 fanon (Pondichery)

FO#22580 KM#39
Year: 1720
Weight: 0,70 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 10,00 mm
Edge:

1/2 rupee (Surat)

FO#22571 KM#75
Year: 1806
Weight: 5,70 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter:
Edge:

1/2 rupee (Arcot)

FO#22600 KM#14
Year: 1771
Weight: 5,70 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter:
Edge:

1 fanon (Mahe)

FO#22586 KM#66
Year: 1731
Weight:
Composition: Silver
Diameter:
Edge: Smooth

1/2 fanon (Pondichery)

FO#22581 KM#37
Year: 1715
Weight: 0,60 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter:
Edge:

1 doudou (Pondichery)

FO#22582 KM#52
Year: 1836
Weight: 4,00 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 16,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 rupee (Arcot)

FO#22598 KM#27
Year: 1738
Weight: 11,70 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 25,00 mm
Edge: Scalloped

1 rupee (Arcot)

FO#22594 KM#15
Year: 1764
Weight: 11,40 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 24,70 mm
Edge:

1/2 fanon (Pondichery)

FO#22579 KM#36
Year: 1723
Weight:
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 20,00 mm
Edge:

1 fanon (Mahe)

FO#22587 KM#67
Year: 1738
Weight: 2,20 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 14,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 fanon (Pondichery)

FO#22578 KM#41
Year: 1715
Weight: 15,00 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 10,50 mm
Edge:

1 rupee (Surat)

FO#22572 KM#76
Year: 1809
Weight: 11,40 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 21,00 mm
Edge:

1 doudou (Pondichery)

FO#22585 KM#33
Year: 1720
Weight: 1,60 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 23,00 mm
Edge:

Other resources to find coins and banknotes of French India

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