(sold for $26.0)

1864, India, Travancore State, Rama Varma IV. Milled Silver Velli Fanam Coin. VF+

Condition: VF+
Mint Year: 1864
Reference: KM-24.1.
Denomination: Velli Fanam (milled type)
Ruler (King): Rama Varma IV
Diameter: 15mm
Material: Silver
Weight: 1.52gm

Obverse: Stylized figure with square head, flanked by pellets. Eight pellets below. All within wreath.

Reverse: Initials (R.V.) within decorative floral wreath design.

Kingdom of Travancore was a princely state in the Indian subcontinent, with its capital at Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. It comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, the Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of Tamil Nadu. Its ruler was accorded a 19-gun salute during the long period under the suzerainty of the British Empire. Maharaja Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the founder of "modern Travancore". The state's flag was red with a silver, dextrally-coiled, sacred conch shell (Turbinella pyrum). After India's independence in 1947, Travancore and the princely state of Cochin merged on 1 July 1949 to form the Indian state of Travancore-Cochin. Later Travancore-Cochin joined with the Malabar district of the Madras State (modern day Tamil Nadu), on 1 November 1956, to form the Indian state of Kerala. The last Maharajah was Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and the last Dewan was PGN Unnithan.