Indian Tanga
Portugal
1881–1959
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 2 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$0.07
Based on Copper spot price ($6.09/oz) · 95.0% purity · 5.4g
Updated 1:05 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Portugal |
| Years Minted | 1881–1959 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 5.4 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Shape | Round |
Design
Obverse
Features the coat of arms of Portugal.
Reverse
Depicts the denomination and the date.
History & Notable Facts
The Indian Tanga's design incorporated the Portuguese coat of arms alongside local Goan influences, a nod to its role in bridging two worlds. Struck in Lisbon from 1881 onward, these coins traveled thousands of miles to circulate in Goa.
Silver content varied by year, typically around .835 fineness, though exact compositions for later issues remain murky due to wartime shortages. Mintage figures are spotty; records from the 1940s, for instance, were likely destroyed in Lisbon's archives during the war.
One version featured a portrait of King Manuel II, who never set foot in India. That says something about colonial priorities.
Over time, the Tanga faded as India's currency reforms took hold, ceasing production by 1959 with Goa's integration. Variants exist, but fakes are common, so provenance matters.
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