Portuguese India
Coinage of the Portuguese territories in India — issues for Goa, Daman and Diu, distinct from British India coinage.
Portuguese India coinage
Portuguese India ran on its own currency system, separate from British India, and its coinage reflects that: different denominations, Portuguese legends and heraldry, and a design tradition drawn from Europe rather than from the subcontinent. The territories centred on Goa, Daman and Diu, and issues continued well into the twentieth century.
Because the currency system changed over time, the denominations you meet vary depending on the period, which is part of what makes the area interesting to work through in order.
What collectors look for
- Period — the currency system was reformed more than once.
- Denomination — names and values differ from British India entirely.
- Design — Portuguese arms and legends rather than a royal portrait.
- Condition — as with all long-circulating coinage, wear varies widely.