6 Interesting Antique Indian Coins Issued by Dutch and Danish Rulers

When it comes to Indian coinage from the colonial era, collectors are more inclined towards collecting rare coins of British India. There were many other European powers who issued rare coins in India. Let’s take a look at a few interesting colonial coins that were issued by the Dutch East India Company and Danish East India Company. 

Gold Pagoda of Dutch East India Company

These antique Indian coins were issued by the Dutch East India Company between the years 1747 and 1784. This gold pagoda was die-struck featuring a degenerated Vishnu, lazy "J" on the obverse and granulated designs on the reverse.

4 Cash Copper Coin of Dutch East India Company

These antique coins of India were issued by the Dutch East India Company and bore the denomination 4 Cash. They were die-struck in copper and featured the VOCX monogram along with letter N and digit 4 on the obverse. The reverse of these colonial coins featured Tamil text Nakapattanam.

1 Cash Lead Coin of Dutch East India Company

These antique India coins were die-struck by the Dutch East India Company in lead. They bore the denomination Cash and featured the N/VOC monogram on the Obverse while the reverse features the Tamil Legend in Two lines, Tamil "Nakapattanam".

1 Stuiver Copper Coin of Dutch East India Company

Here’s another example of antique Indian coins that was issued by the Dutch East India Company.  These copper coins bore the denomination Stuiver and were die-struck featuring the facing figure of God Kali on the obverse while the reverse depicts the Tamil inscription in two lines 'Nakapattanam'

1 Cash Lead Coin of Danish East India Company

These rare colonial coins were die-struck in lead by Danish East India Company during the regime of Christian IV. They bore the denomination cash and featured the texts DAN/NISB/ORG in three lines on the obverse while the reverse depicted the VOCD Monogram.

2 Cash copper coin of Danish East India Company

These antique coins of India were die-struck in Copper by Danish East India Company during the regime of Frederik V in 1761. They bore the denomination 2 Cash and featured the Crowned F5 Monogram, Block F on the obverse while the reverse featured a crowned DAC Monogram which divides date, 2 below.

Keep exploring more about the Rarest Coins of India that were issued by colonial powers other than the British East India Company and put together an impressive collection.

5 Interesting Antique Indian Coins from the Colonial Period

Antique coins of India struck by colonial powers such as Dutch East India Company, Danish East India Company and French East India Company are not commonly found among collectors. Let’s take a look at five beautiful antique Indian coins that were struck during the colonial Era today. 

Copper Stuiver of Dutch East India Company

These antique coins of India issued by the Dutch East India Company bear the denomination Stuiver and were die-struck on Copper. The obverse featured a front-facing figure of Goddess Kali while the reverse featured the Tamil inscription 'Nakapattanam' in two lines.



Gold Pagoda of Dutch East India Company

These beautiful antique Indian coins issued by Dutch East India Company were die-struck struck in gold somewhere between 1784 and 1794. They bore the denomination Pagoda and featured a degenerated Vishnu, out lazy "J" at three O'clock on the obverse. The reverse of these colonial coins was granulated.

2 Cash Copper Coin of Danish East India Company

These rare coins in India were issued by Danish East India Company during the reign of Frederik V in the year 1761. These antique coins of India bore the denomination 2 Cash and were die-struck in copper. The obverse featured a crowned F5 Monogram, Block F while the reverse features a crowned DAC Monogram which divides the date, and number 2 below.




Silver Rupee of French East India Company

These antique India coins were issued by French East India Company during the reign of Shah Alam II in the year 1218 and Regnal year 43. These silver rupee coins followed the AH calendar system and were Die Struck at Arcot Mint.  The obverse featured a Persian legend Shah Alam and a Couplet.

Silver Half Rupee of East India Company 

These rare coins of British India were die-struck in 5.83 grams of Silver by East India Company during the reign of William IV in 1835 AD at Calcutta Mint. They bore the denomination half rupee and had a diameter of 24.9 millimetres. The obverse featured the letter “F” raised on truncation. The obverse featured an effigy of King facing right and the divided legend: WILLIAM IIII, KING. The reverse of these antique Indian coins featured the value in English and Persian, 1/4 RUPEE within a wreath of laurel. Other texts include EAST INDIA COMPANY 1835.

Keep searching for these wonderful Antique Coins of India and do share pictures if you find any!

How to Classify Antique Indian Coins like Colonial Coins

Antique coins of India have always been the favorites among numismatists and coin collectors all over the world. From ancient coins to rare coins of British India, each one of them has a lot of historical value and significance. Today, let us take a brief look at the colonial coins that were issued when the Indian subcontinent was under the reign of different foreign powers. Rare coins in India that were struck during this time period have been sold at auction houses for handsome amounts. If we have to broadly classify these antique Indian coins, then we can categorize them as follows: Dutch East India Company, Danish East India Company, French East India Company, British Colony, Madras Presidency coins, Bengal Presidency coins, Bombay Presidency coins, British India, Indo-Portuguese, Kingdom of Portugal, Republic of Portugal and Ceylon. Surprised to know about so many categories? Many collectors have a misconception that colonial coins are the coins that are issued only under British India, which is incorrect.

 With so many options available, you can look towards enhancing your collection of antique Indian coins by making it more diverse and unique. Rare coins of British India produced during the East India Company days can be broadly classified as those that were issued under Queen Victoria (1838 to 1853) and the ones that were issued under William IV (1837 -1837). After that, India was divided into presidencies for administrative purposes. These three presidencies, namely Bombay, Bengal and Madras, started issuing their own coins. These were followed by British India coins that were issued under various rulers like Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress, Edward VII, George V and GEORGE VI.  Indi-Portuguese old coins of India were struck under the regime of various kings and emperors like, Alfonso VI, Joao, Pedro IV, Pedro III, etc.  There is so much to explore really.

Yes, it is very difficult to own the rarest coins of India as they have a high demand and are extremely expensive. However, you can definitely keep growing your collection by adding other coins that belong to various other rarely-known and unique categories.  Once you start reading about the above mentioned categories, you will definitely know what to look for!

Factors that Collectors Miss while Collecting Colonial Coins

There are many collectors who randomly collect Colonial Coins. They don’t even know the history behind them or look at the specifics. A true collector will try to build his or her collection in a unique way. They will follow a theme and collect coins that fall into that specific theme. Colonial coins is one such theme that you can follow when it comes to Indian coins. Apart from Britishers, the Portuguese, Dutch and French also set up their colonies in India. You will find colonial coins belonging to each of these regimes as well. Most collectors will collect British coins when it comes to colonial coins. Very few know about the fact that many beautiful coins were struck by the French, Dutch and Portuguese as well. If you really want to be different, then you should have the eye and taste for it. Keep looking out; you never know when you will get really lucky in this hobby.

Apart from themes, there are several other factors that you need to consider if you are new to this hobby. The first thing is rarity. Always remember that antique Indian coins that are rarer have a greater value in the market. Why are some coins rarer than others? This is mostly because these Indian Antique Coins are struck in smaller numbers. Some rulers reigned for lesser number of years, due to which coins that are issued under them would obviously be rarer. Only if you keep updating your knowledge about the kind of coins that you are collecting, would you know which coins are rare and which ones are not.

Some experts also say that you should buy the book before you purchase a coin. This way you are also keeping yourself engaged in some way or the other. Apart from that, you wouldn’t want to be embarrassed when someone walks up to you and asks details about a coin from your collection.