The Madurai Nayak dynasty was a Tamil dynasty that ruled parts of southern India, including the city of Madurai, from the 16th to the 18th century. The dynasty left behind a legacy that includes historical monuments, art, and numismatic artifacts such as coins. Coins issued during the reign of the Madurai Nayak rulers provide valuable insights into their history, culture, and economy.
Numismatics is the study or collection of coins, banknotes, and other forms of currency or related items. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of history, archaeology, economics, and art. Numismatists, the individuals who practice numismatics, examine and analyze various aspects of currency, such as their design, production techniques, historical context, and cultural significance.
Knowing about old coins serves several purposes and can be valuable for various reasons:
The 50 State quarters, enacted December 1, 1997, was a series of circulating commemorative quarters released by the United States Mint. Minted from 1999 through 2008, they featured unique designs for each of the 50 US states on the reverse.
The 50 State Quarters Program was started to support a new generation of coin collectors, and it became the most successful numismatic
program in history, with roughly half of the US population collecting the
coins, either in a casual manner or as a serious pursuit.
Similarly another series - America the Beautiful quarters
(sometimes abbreviated ATB quarters) issued by the United States Mint, which
began in 2010 and lasted until 2021. A series of 56 25-cent pieces (quarters)
were issued.
This program was authorized by America’s Beautiful
National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008.
The Netherlands Zeeland Duit 1714 to 1797:
Zeeland
(Zeelandia, Zeland, Zelandia, Zealand) is in the southwestern corner of the Netherlands. The lion and waves in a crowned shield is a prominent symbol of
Zeeland. You see this symbol on several coins from the Dutch East India Company
(with a VOC annotation)
