¼ Dollar - Penang
Penang • ¼ Dollar • Silver (.902) • 1788
- Denomination
- ¼ Dollar
- Issuer
- Penang
- Struck
- 1788
- Composition
- Silver (.902)
- Currency
- Dollar
- Weight
- 6.71 g
- Catalog refs
- KM 6.2 · Pr 2
Where to find one
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Where it came from
The 1788 Penang quarter dollar was minted by the British East India Company for use in the settlement of Prince of Wales Island, known today as Penang. Established as a strategic trading post and port of call, the island required a reliable medium of exchange to facilitate commerce with local merchants and visiting sailors. The coin was produced to bridge the gap between indigenous currency and the growing influence of the British mercantile system in Southeast Asia.
The design is characterized by its simplicity, often featuring the East India Company's bale mark on the obverse, symbolizing the corporate entity's authority over the territory. These copper issues were struck to address the chronic shortage of small-denomination change in the region, a common challenge in colonial outposts of the late 18th century. While initially utilitarian, these pieces are now regarded as significant historical artifacts that document the early administrative efforts of the British in the Malay Archipelago.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
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About ¼ Dollar - Penang
¼ Dollar - Penang is a coin in the Coins catalog on collecto.rs. Penang • ¼ Dollar • Silver (.902) • 1788. Catalog data is sourced from Numista. No collectors on collecto.rs publicly track this coin yet — adding yours would make you the first.
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Where does the ¼ Dollar - Penang catalog entry come from?
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