02/10/2019- ANCIENT INDIAN COINS- Portuguese India - Uma Rupia

ഇന്നത്തെ പഠനം
അവതരണം	Augustine Stephen D'souza
വിഷയം	ANCIENT INDIAN COINS
ലക്കം	38

Portuguese India   -  Uma Rupia

The Portuguese, the oldest of the European colonists to have arrived on Indian soil, had their presence felt over pockets of India from 1505 till 1961.

Referred as 'Estado da India' or the Portuguese State of India, it had the authority over the possessions in the entire Indian Ocean from South Africa to South Asia, Goa being the capital. 

Portugal lost effective control of the enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 1954, and finally the rest of the overseas territory in December 1961, when it was taken by India after military action. 

Before 1871, the Rupia was divided into 750 Bazarucose or 600 Reis or 20 Pardaus or 10 Tangas. 

After 1871, 960 Reis or 16 Tangas (worth 60 Reis) equalled one Rupia. The Rupia was equal in value to the British Indian Rupee. 

In Portuguese, the term 'Uma' denotes one,  hence the name Uma Rupia. 

Specifics of the coin shown below 

Obverse  - Bust of draped Liberty facing left with the year 1912.

Reverse  - Legend "UMA RUPIA" encapsulated in an olive and an oak branch, knotted by a ribbon. 

Also seen are the initials "V A" below the ribbon for Valancio Alves, the die engraver. 

Diameter - 30 mm

Weight  - 11.66 gms 

Mint - Imprensa Nacional  - Casa da Moeda, Portugal 

Edge  - Reeded/grained 

Rim  - raised and not decorated on both sides.