Madras] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



233 



exchange, the number of fanams to the pagoda fluctuated according to cir- 

 cumstances, from 42 to 46 fanams. 



The gold coins were the single and double pagodas ; the silver coins 

 were the single, double, and 5 fanam pieces ; the one-eighth, quarter, half, 

 1 and 2 rupees ; and quarter and half pagodas ; the copper coins consisted 

 of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 cash pieces. 



According to* the new currency, fixed by proclamation, dated Fort St. 

 George, 7th January, 1818, the silver rupee constitutes the standard coin of 

 this Presidency. The public accounts are accordingly converted from the 

 star pagoda (the coinage of which is discontinued) into the Madras rupee, 

 at the exchange of 350 rupees per 100 star pagodas. All Government 

 transactions will in future be concluded in rupees. 



The new coinage of silver the same document announced would consist 

 of the following coins, of the fineness and weight here specified: — 





Grains pure- 



Grains Alloy. 



Grains gnxt 

 Weight. 



Value About 

 £ a, ©. 



Half Rii imh* 



Quarter Rupee. . . . 

 Double Anna .... 



UK 

 tea 



"A 



Id 



1 



H 



1H0 



M 

 45 



si 



0 1 in 

 0 0 111 



0 0 o| 



1 0 2| 



The new coinage of gold rupees, each equal to 15 silver rupees, consists 

 of rupees, half rupees, and quarter rupees; the rupee containing 165 grains 

 of pure gold, and 15 grains of alloy ; weighing consequently the same as 

 the silver rupee. 



The new copper coinage consists of pies or pice, 1 2 being equivalent to 

 1 anna. 



See also the Assay Report, in Bombay. 



The Arcot rupee weighs 176.4 grains, and contains 166.477 grains of 

 pure silver ; its sterling value is therefore Is. ll~d. 



Many other coins circulate on the Coromandel Coast. 



The old 3 Swamy pagoda, which is about 20 j carats fino, bears 

 generally a batta of 10 per cent, against the new coins of Negapatam and 

 Madras. 



The old pagodas of Negapatam and Tutecorin are about the same weight 

 and value as the star pagodas, (L e. 52.56 grains, and worth 7s. 5 id.) ; but 

 in the later coinage of these pagodas, they are depreciated, being only 18J- 

 carats fine ; and 104 are equal to 100 star pagodas. 



The Porto Novo pagoda is only 17 J carats fine, and passes current at 

 120 per 100 star pagodas. 



