½ Fanam - Miyana Nawabs of Cuddapah Karpa

Historical Context: This ½ Fanam from the Miyana Nawabs of Cuddapah Karpa, dated 1177 AH (1763-1764 CE), emerges from a highly fragmented South India. While nominally under Maratha influence, these Nawabs often navigated complex allegiances, balancing power between the Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and emerging European colonial powers. The coin signifies a local assertion of economic autonomy and administrative control during a period of intense regional conflict and the decline of central Mughal authority.

Artistry: The engraver of this minute gold coin remains anonymous, typical for the period. The stylistic school reflects a pragmatic regional tradition, adapting elements from earlier South Indian numismatics, particularly the Vijayanagara legacy, to the exigencies of a tiny 6mm flan. Designs on such Fanams are often highly abstract or feature a simplified, stylized deity figure, possibly Vishnu or a goddess, rendered as a series of dots and lines due to the severe space limitations.

Technical/Grading: Due to its diminutive size and weight, technical strike quality on this ½ Fanam is frequently inconsistent. High-points would typically be the central design elements, which often exhibit weakness or are only partially present. The planchet itself is often irregularly shaped or slightly off-center, contributing to incomplete design impression. Full strikes with crisp details are rare, making examples with well-defined central motifs particularly desirable for collectors.