Summary

1/4 Pagoda, Issued by, Madras Presidency, India, 1808-1812
2nd series
Minted by Madras Mint

Obverse Description

At centre, surrounded by stars, a monumental temple tower (gopuram); around on a buckled garter the denomination in English and Persian, QUARTER PAGODA

Reverse Description

At centre within two circles of beads, the Hindu God Vishnu; above, a large star; around below on ribbon the denomionation in Tamil and Telugu

Edge Description

Milled ///

Significance

Silver coins struck on the pagoda standard were authorised in July 1807. The coins were struck from silver obtained from Spanish dollars. In 1808 the dumpy style gold star pagoda was replaced by flat European style gold coins and the initial silver series was re-designed to this form to closer match the new gold pieces. Production continued until June 1812 when dissatisfaction with the complex pagoda and Arkat rupee based coinages led to a Proclamation stopping production of, but permitting the continued circulation of the pagoda based pieces. A new rupee standard was introduced in January 1818 producing a standardised coinage.

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