Coins

Coins used during Portuguese era

The subject of Portuguese coinage in Goa involved in much obscurity. Money was minted in Goa in 1510 A.D but the history is more vague and undefined then that of Greek or roman coinage. Mint of Goa was the first Portuguese establishment of its kind in India.

Now let me tell you’ll the story how and why this minting of coins were done?

Timoji a hindu chieftain of onar (Honawar) who being at enmity  with the Muhammadan ruler of Goa, had just induced Afonso De Albuqurque to conquer the city in company with the principal hindus and Muhammadans of the place he also told him that the city especially the merchants were suffering from the great want of currency of coins,and begged him to grant permission for minting some money. After this, D’Albuqurque called a meeting but the viceroy replied that he has to write about this to the king such thing was never attempted in India. After few days Timoji again came up with same request this time Albuqurque listened to him more favourably and gave orders for its issue on consideration that the king of Portugal would thereby gain credit,reown and profit.

As soon as large money was minted D’Albuqurque ordered  De Ga(the treasurer of the chest)to proclaim the minting of new coins, and at each proclamation that was made  scattered quantities in handfuls of new money over the heads of the crowds.

Now with regards with the coins struck by Afonso De Albuqurque it may be remarked that there was nothing original in either their standards or nomenclature. The silver coins were called “esperos” while copper dinheiros or leaes.
 

Coins issued by Bahmanis 

The currency of Bahamani was primarily based on gold and silver. Copper was mainly used for smaller transaction. The weight of the copper coins were 54 grains. Among the seventeen rulers of Bahamani dynasty only nine issued gold coins.

The coins of all the rulers followed the standard weight of Delhi Sultans. Brahman shah was the only name which was written on the coins for the early coins but when Muhamed shah Became the ruler, he put his name instead of Bahaman name on the coins. In the later period his son Muhammed Shah I gave altogether new legends to his coins. He introduced his name as the king of the land and time , supporters of Islam.