EAST INDIA COMPANY : The British presence in India started in 1612, twelve years after the granting by Queen Elizabeth the First of a Royal Charter to the 218 Knights and merchants of the City of London who formed a company which received different names but remained in history as "the East India Company". The British East India Company established its initial settlement in Surat in 1612, and started minting coins from the mid 17th century. The early European style coins were not popular outside their jurisdiction, and in 1717 the British obtained the right to strike their own rupees in the name of the Mughal emperor. The gold coins were termed Carolina, the silver coins Anglina, the copper coins Cupperoon and tin coins Tinny.
EARLY ISSUES OF EAST INDIA COMPANY
Two Pagodas : Madras Presidency
Surat Rupee
Mohur Bengal Presidency: Murshidabad Mint
After the Great Mutiny in 1857, the British Government took direct control of its Indian possessions until they regained their independence in 1947, divided between India and Pakistan. From 1862 to 1947 coins were stuck under the authority of the crown.
The rulers were:
KING WILLIAM IV > VICTORIA QUEEN : EMPRESS > KING EDWARD VII > KING GEORGE V > KING GEORGE VI > REPUBLIC OF INDIA
The Indian Coinage Act, 1906 was passed which governed the establishment of Mints as well as the coins that would be issued and the standards that would be maintained (Rupee 180 grains, Silver 916.66 standard; Half Rupee 90 grains, Quarter Rupee 45 grains).
Coins of the following denominations were issued :
• 1/12 Anna • 1/2 Pice • 1 Pice • 1/4 Anna • 1/2 Anna • 1 Anna • 2 Annas • 1/4 Rupee • 4 Annas • 8 Annas • 1/2 Rupee • Rupee • 15 Rupees
