1 Fanam

The 1 Fanam from French India was minted from gold so pure it often tested at over 90% fineness, a rarity in colonial coins that reflected local mining traditions.

This small gold piece, weighing about 0.5 grams, entered circulation under French rule starting in the 1740s. Designs varied but typically featured simple motifs like a lion or floral patterns, influenced by both Pondicherry's mint and Indian artistry. French authorities adapted these from earlier native currencies to facilitate trade in places like Karaikal and Yanam.

Mintage figures remain murky; records from that era were poorly kept, and many were destroyed in colonial upheavals. What we do know is that production tapered off by the mid-19th century as the rupee gained dominance.

Some numismatists quip that carrying a Fanam was like toting a fortune in your pocketbook, if your pocketbook was the size of a thimble.