Queen Mangamma Madurai Nayak Copper Kasu – Vishnu Type, c. 1689–1706 AD M98

An interesting copper Kasu issued during the period of Queen Mangamma (Mangammal) of the Madurai Nayak kingdom, who served as regent during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The obverse depicts Lord Vishnu standing facing, accompanied by two smaller figures positioned below on either side. Traces of the sun and moon symbols can also be seen in the field. This distinctive arrangement is associated with the K. Ganesh 5.36 variety of Madurai Nayak copper coinage.

The reverse carries traces of the Telugu legend:

Sri Mangamma

This specimen has seen considerable circulation, but the principal religious design remains recognizable. The coin retains a dark brown natural copper patina with areas of green surface deposits, characteristic of old South Indian copper coinage.

Kingdom: Madurai Nayaks
Ruler: Queen Mangamma / Rani Mangammal
Period: c. 1689–1706 AD
Region: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Denomination: Kasu
Metal: Copper
Obverse: Vishnu standing facing with two smaller figures; sun and moon symbols in field
Reverse: Telugu legend “Sri Mangamma”
Reference: K. Ganesh 5.36 type
Condition: Fine, with identifiable principal devices and weak reverse legend

Queen Mangammal governed Madurai as regent around 1689–1704/06, and numismatic catalogues list her copper Kasu issues under roughly the same period.