British India Coins, Madras Presidency 5 Rupees or 1/3 Mohur 1820 Issued by East India Company, Minted by Madras Mint
Obverse: Arms of the Company; around, ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY
Reverse: Legend in Persian (translation: Five Rupees of the Honourable English Company)
Edge Description: Milled
The East India Company obtained permission to strike Arkat style rupees from the Subah of Arkat (Arcot) in 1742. The first actual production was in 1759 in the name of Alamgir II and bear the Hegira date 1172 with the regnal year 6. Machine struck gold rupees (valued at 15 silver rupees) and their fractions were produced in 1817 with the same designs on obverse and reverse as the silver. Those coins were replaced in 1819 by types, having the same standard and weight, but bearing the Company arms or crest, because the use of the same designs on silver and gold coins of about the same size had led to the silver pieces being gilded and passed as gold. This was a new denomination introduced at that time and giving a better exchange between silver and gold; 5 rupees or 1/3 mohur.
Dimensions: 19.5 mm
Weight: 3.85 g
British India Coins