Madurai Nayaks – Goddess Meenakshi Portrait Fractional Copper Kasu Coin

The Madurai Nayaks (South India Hindu Dynasty), Minted between 1601-1736 CE, Denomination: Fractional Kasu, Composition: Copper, Weight: 1.32 grams, Diameter: 10.87 mm, References: Unlisted in KM, about very fine, very scarce,

Obverse: Goddess Meenakshi standing facing, depicted beneath a decorative arch.

Reverse: Sri / Vi / Ra legend in Kannada language.

This is a light-weight fractional kasu, noticeably below the usual kasu weight, indicating a sub-denomination intended for small local transactions. The coin is decorative in style, with a clear religious motif centered on Goddess Meenakshi, reflecting the strong Shaivite tradition of Madurai under the Nayaks. Such low-weight fractional pieces are far less common than standard kasu issues and are rarely encountered in this condition, making this example particularly desirable for collectors of South Indian temple-iconography coinage.