Gold Coins: South India

The southernmost tip of India, known as Kerala, had business dealing with foreign merchants who came from the middle east on wooden, sail-driven, ships. (Even today these ships weighing a few hundred tons, but mechanized, ply on this route for business).

India had spices, gums, and aromatics to offer. The payment was often in terms of foreign gold coins which were readily accepted on the basis of their bullion value. Millions of gold coins are supposed to have come to Kerala this way.

Unfortunately most have "perished" as far as their existence as coins is concerned. Gold has always been in demand in India for ornaments and also as a suitable method of hoarding money. Thus a large amount of this gold was melted for making ornaments. This is one reason why the gold coins that came to Kerala (South India) presumably in millions have lefter few traces.

Shastri JC Philip
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