Travancore Coins
The Kingdom of Travancore, one of India's most prominent princely states, left behind a fascinating numismatic legacy that reflects its rich history and culture. From the 18th century to the mid-20th century, Travancore minted a variety of coins that served not only as a medium of exchange, but also as symbols of power and sovereignty.
History and Evolution of Travancore Coins
Travancore coins have their roots in the 18th century, when Maharaja Marthanda Varma established a unified monetary system for his kingdom. Initially, the coins were gold and silver, known as "fanams" and "chakrams" respectively. Over time, the coinage evolved to include copper and alloy coins, reflecting the economic and political changes in the kingdom. During the 19th century, under British influence, Travancore adopted a decimal system and began producing coins with denominations in "chuckrams" and "cash". These coins often featured inscriptions in Malayalam, the local language, as well as religious and royal symbols, such as the sacred conch shell (shanku) and the Travancore emblem.
Characteristics and cultural significance of the coins
Travancore coins are notable for their unique design and cultural significance. Many pieces featured portraits of the reigning maharajas, symbolizing royal authority and dynastic continuity. The use of religious symbols, such as the sacred conch shell, reflected the close relationship between the state and the Hindu religion in Travancore. In addition, coins often included inscriptions commemorating important events or declaring the sovereignty of the kingdom. A fascinating aspect of Travancore numismatics is the minting of special coins for religious rituals, such as the famous "Rasi" used in the Padmanabhaswamy temple. These unique features have made Travancore coins coveted by collectors and valuable sources for the study of the history and culture of this ancient princely state.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable Travancore 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.
Ancient coins of India-Princely States
To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of India-Princely States.
Bhopal Bikaner Bahawalpur Baroda Gwalior Hyderabad Indore Jaipur Jodhpur Junagadh Kutch Mewar Nawanagar Pudukkottai Ratlam Tonk TravancoreCoin Catalog
1 cash (Travancore)
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of India-Princely States
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