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.
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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:
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
1/4 rupee (Arcot)
1 rupee (Arcot)
1 rupee (Arcot)
1 nazarana rupee (Arcot)
1 rupee (Arcot)
1/2 rupee (Arcot)
1 rupee (Arcot)
1 nazarana rupee (Arcot)
1 fanon (Pondichéry)
1/2 rupee (Arcot)
1 rupee (Arcot)
1 doudou (Pondichery)
1 doudou (Pondichery)
1 doudou (Pondichery)
1/2 fanon (Pondichery)
1/2 fanon (Pondichery)
1/2 fanon (Pondichery)
1 fanon (Pondichery)
1 fanon (Pondichery)
1 fanon (Pondichery)
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of French India
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