SNR | British India | Type Set
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Updated:
5/18/2025
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British trading posts in India were first established by the East India Company (EIC) in the early 17th century and gradually evolved into larger colonies across the subcontinent. Early settlements or "factories" included Masulipatnam (1611) and Madras (1640) in the south, Surat (1612) in the west, and present-day Kolkata (1698–99) in the east. These centers formed the basis of the Madras, Bombay, and Bengal Presidencies, each maintaining its own coinage and monetary system.
In 1835, the EIC introduced a uniform coinage system across all its Indian territories, replacing the diverse Presidency systems. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, governance of EIC holdings transferred to the British Crown.
Coinage issued after 1857 fell under the authority of the monarch, as India became part of the British Empire. With the Royal Titles Act of 1876, Queen Victoria assumed the title "Empress of India," prompting a change in coin inscriptions from "Victoria Queen" to "Victoria Empress" in 1877. After India gained independence on 15 August 1947, there was a transition period before the first coins of the Republic of India were issued in 1950.
British India coinage is broadly divided into two periods: the East India Company issues (pre-1835) and the Imperial issues (post-1858) under direct Crown authority. EIC issues include the distinct coinages of the Madras, Bombay, and Bengal Presidencies, and the uniform coinage introduced from 1835 to 1858. Imperial issues feature the portraits of Queen Victoria (1862–1901), Edward VII (1903–1910), George V (1911–1936), and George VI (1938–1947). No coins were issued under Edward VIII due to his short reign.
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SNR | British India | Type Set
By Navaneeth
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