Coins In Lucknow Mus. Vol 01 [56 MB - IndianCoins.org

261 oz. 6 grs.,and another with date 1771, weight 15 dwts. 1 5 grs, andI have seen two pieces of similar type and metal half their size.The coins of 1741 came to me from Dublin : that of 1771 wasfound a few years since at Kiusali in repairing a house. Thesethree specimens in lead, being of the reigns of George I, II, andIII, from their succession, would seem to indicate some establishedand continuous purpose. It is unlikely that anything honorarywould be struck in so worthless and easilj injured metal as lead ;yet, as they all bear the authoritative inscription " Auspicio Regiset Senatus Angliae," we may presume, in the absence of any information,that they were current coin."2.Copper Pice. Without dateObverse. The English Crown with O.K. above, and BOMB below.Reverse. The motto AVSPICIO KEGIS ET SEXATVS ANGLI/E.3. Copper Pice. 1714Obverse. The Company's bale mark, and date 1714.Reverse. A lion right, within a dotted circle.Coins of this type, of three sizes, are contained in the collectionof the British Museum (pi. xix, 5, d, 7).4. Silver three, double, and single Fanams, presumably struckfor the Madras territories :Obverse. Orb and cross inscribed, with the letters C c -within aj,dotted circle.Reverse. An undecipherable Indian inscription within a dottedcircle.[pl.jxix, 1, 2].5. Copper coins with device and legends similar to No. 4.[pi. xix, 3]." In 1725," says Sir Walter Elliot, " 1 the attention of the factorywas attracted to the coinage of the rupee. It appears that theprofits gained at the Madras mint on the coinage of silver hadencouraged the issue at the native mints at Arcot, St. Thome, andCovelong, of rupees inferior in standard, but of the same nominalvalue, so as to divert the flow of bullion from the Company's mintto their own. This led to stringent regulations prohibiting theexport of bullion from the Factory, and to a reduction of themint charges." On this subject Mr. Wheeler says 2 " : The firstimportant matter which received the attention of Governor Macraewas that of the coinage of rupees at the Madras mint. It seemsthat the Native chiefs had awakened to the profit derived by theMadras Government from the coinage of rupees and accordingly;they had not only set up mints of their own, but, about this time,they contrived to make more rupees out of the same quantity ofsilver, than were made by the Company. For instance out ofevery hundred ounces of silver, the mints at St. Thome and Arcotturned out to the merchant Rupees 266, annas 14 ;whilst the mintin Fort St. George only turned out Rupees 257, annas 7. Thusthe merchant obtained nine rupees seven annas more for hishundred ounces of silver at St. Thome and Arcot than he could1Op. cit., p. 145. 2Op. cit., vol. ii., pp. 38792.