1087451 | INDIA-BRITISH. Madras Presidency. (1819) AV Mohur. NGC MS62. Madras. Edge: Vertical milling. ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY. Arms with supporters, Small letters / of the Honorable English Company. Value in Persian. KM 421.1; Fr.-1587; Pridmore 241.

In NGC holder with Shipwreck Blue Label, designating, "small lettering" variety

Ex "Fame" shipwreck, sunk in 1822 off South Africa. Includes original roundel signed by the Past President of the South African Numismatic Society.


Please use this link to verify the NGC certification number 8440082004




The commercial cargo ship, Fame was built in Calcutta in 1816. It was registered in 1822 by Lloyd’s Register as belonging to Palmer & Co. and made regular voyages between Great Britain and India. The ship sank six years after its first voyage. Having departed Madras on March 5, 1822 and arriving in Table Bay, Cape Town, on May 21; when departing for London the ship encountered heavy swells preventing the Fame from staying on course, instead being pulled back towards the coastline. Unable to correct its course, the ship was forced into the rocks of Sea Point and broke in two. While the crew were rescued, the bow remained stuck in the rocks, and the stern immediately sank with its cargo of precious goods including trunks filled with coins. It wasn't until 1965 when the wreck was rediscovered and many coins were found scattered across the seabed.