1 Tanga - Filipe III Goa mint to Malaca

Historical Context: This 1 Tanga coin, struck between 1621 and 1629, originates from the Iberian Union period, with Portugal under the Spanish Habsburg rule of Filipe III (Philip IV of Spain). Issued by Portuguese India, likely from the Goa mint for circulation in Malaca, it highlights the critical role of this strategic trading port. This era saw intense competition from Dutch and English powers, making stable currency vital for colonial administration and trade along the spice routes.

Artistry: The engraver of this 1 Tanga remains unrecorded, common for colonial coinage where practical utility often superseded individual artistic attribution. Stylistically, the coin reflects simplified Baroque influences typical of European colonial mints, adapted for local production. The design would likely feature the royal arms of Portugal on one side, signifying sovereign authority, juxtaposed with a cross, a common numismatic motif, and legends detailing Filipe III’s titles, alongside the mintmark for Goa.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 3.0 grams of silver, this Tanga exhibits typical characteristics of hand-struck coinage from the Goa mint. High-points susceptible to wear or weak strike include the crown surmounting the royal shield and the extremities of the cross. Due to manual production, variations in planchet preparation, strike pressure, and centering are common. A well-preserved example would show crisp legends and full details on central devices, though minor flan imperfections are often inherent to the manufacturing process.