Degenerate Kali with the Tanjore rosette on the breast, star and crescent in the left field, sun (?) in the right field / Stylized and angular Ranga Rau, transormed into a decorated geometric design. 6mm, 0.35 grams. Uncertain mint (Madras or an unknown mint in Mysore?). 6mm, 0.32 grams. Herrli #3.06 var.; Krause KM #-.

This coin is very similar in style and execution to the coins the English minted in Madras (Herrli 3.06.01), commonly known as the "old Madras fanams". However, the "crescent and star" symbol on the left field might be a mintmark of a different mint. This symbol was used on some coins in the later period in Mysore as a mintmark, and it is possible that the English minted this issue in some smaller mint in their possessions in Southern India.The English settled in Armagon in 1629. In 1639 the English EIC company received the right to strike coins from the Vijayanagar King Venkata III. This particular coin might not come from Madras, but from a smaller EIC mint which has not been identified yet. These coins are slightly debased, the purity of these coins seems to range from about 14 karats to 18 karats. Rare little coin!