Machine struck coins of Travancore

Earlier coins of Travancore were manual hand struck coins which were beautiful. But many of them(especially common copper coins) did not survive the humid tropical climate of the region and hence those are very rare. However, trade and collaboration with British lead to issue of machine struck coins in Travancore.

Here, I am posting some of the images of the Travancore coins. Most of these coins were in circulation during 1900s till formation of India in 1947(or may be till 1949).

Travancore coin chuckram denotes the emblem or weapon of Vishnu who is the the household deity of the Travancore sovereign.

A History of Travancore from the Earliest Times, Volume 1 by P. Shungoonny Menon

Coins from my collection

Below are images of coins from my collection. Sorry, not all information like weight diameter are added for all images. As I get time, I will add details for other coins also.

Note: I am searching for better condition coins(which are at affordable prices). As I get more coins or coins in better condition that one listed below, I will update the images.

All Coins - Size comparison

One Chuckram(RV) - ഒരു ചക്രം

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma

Issued by Rani Setu Lakshmi Bayi - Regent(KE 1100-1107)

One Chuckram(BRV) - ഒരു ചക്രം

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Bala Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore

Issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma

TOC001 - Chuckram One(RV) - ചക്രം ഒന്നു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Vurma, legend Chuckram One

Issued by Maharaja Sree Moolam Tirunal Rama Vurma

TEC001 - Eight Cash(BRV) - എട്ടു കാശു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Balarama Varma

Issued by Rani Setu Lakshmi Bayi - Regent(KE 1100-1107)

Weight: 3.81g

Diameter: 2.2cm

Four Cash(RV) - നാലു കാശു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma

Issued by Rani Setu Lakshmi Bayi - Regent(KE 1100-1107)

Four Cash(BRV) - നാലു കാശു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma

Issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma

One Cash(BRV) - ഒരു കാശു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell inside chuckram

One cash (Oru kasu) - In malayalam script

Issued by Maharaja Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma. Also called as കൊച്ചു കാശു(kochu kasu) in malayalam.

TOF004 - Fanam One - പണം ഒന്നു

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma

1100 KE (1924 AD). Silver coin Issued by Rani Setu Lakshmi Bayi - Regent(KE 1100-1107). #108 in Beena Sarasan's Book.

Weight: 1.54g

Diameter: 1.6cm

TOF002 - One Fanam BRV

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Legend Balarama Varma - One Fanam KE 1116(1940 AD)

Silver coin Issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

Weight: 1.54g

Diameter: 1.6cm

TTC001 - Chuckram two - ചക്രം രണ്ട്

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma, malayalam legend chuckram two(൨ - randu)

Silver coin Issued by Maharaja Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma. #167 in Beena Sarasan's book.

Weight: 0.76g

Diameter: 1.1cm

TTC002 - Two Chuckram - രണ്ട് ചക്രം

Dextrally-coiled conch shell

Monogram of Rama Varma, malayalam legend two chuckram(൨ - randu)

Silver coin Issued by Rani Setu Lakshmi Bayi- Regent(1100-1107). #175 in Beena Sarasan's book.

Weight: 0.78g

Diameter: 1.09cm

THR001 - Travancore Half Rupee Chithra 1118

Dextrally-coiled conch shell, Malayalam legend thiruvithamcore ara roopa, chithra

Legend Bala Rama Varma - Travancore, Half rupee 1118

Issued by Maharaja Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma

Weight: 5.12g

Diameter: 2.42cm

TQR001 - Travancore Quarter Rupee

Dextrally-coiled conch shell, Malayalam legend thiruvithamcore kaal roopa

Legend Rama Vurma - Travancore, Quarter Rupee 1087

Issued by Maharaja Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma

Weight: 2.63g

Diameter: 2.03cm

TQR002 - Travancore Quarter Rupee

Dextrally-coiled conch shell, Malayalam legend thiruvithamcore kaal roopa

Legend Bala Rama Vurma - Travancore, Quarter Rupee 1112

Issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

Weight: 2.64g

Diameter: 2.06cm