Portuguese India ⅛ Tanga – Louis I Calcutta Mint 1884 AD Copper Coin

Portuguese India, King Louis I (Luís I), Reign: 1861-1889 CE, Denomination: ⅛ Tanga (Oitavo de Tanga), Composition: Copper, Weight: 3.03 grams, Diameter: 21.1 mm, Mint: Calcutta (Kolkata), Year: 1884, References: KM# 307, Gomes# L1.09, about very fine, scarce.

Obverse: Left-facing portrait of King Louis I surrounded by the Latin inscription “LUDOVICUS I PORT ET ALGAR REX,” with the date 1884 below.

Reverse: Portuguese crown above the denomination “OITAVO DE TANGA,” surrounded by the inscription “INDIA PORTUGUEZA,” identifying Portuguese India.

Louis I ruled Portugal from 1861 to 1889 CE and continued the Portuguese monarchy during a period of overseas administration and commercial activity. Portuguese India remained an important colonial possession, with Goa as its principal centre and Portuguese territories connected through maritime trade. Coinage for Portuguese India reflected Portugal’s monetary system while incorporating local denominations such as the Tanga and Rupia. During Louis I’s reign, these coins circulated in Portuguese Indian territories and were produced according to established European minting standards.

Coinage Note: This copper ⅛ Tanga was struck at the Calcutta (Kolkata) Mint in 1884 for Portuguese India. The obverse features the portrait and Latin titulature of Louis I, while the reverse displays the Portuguese crown, denomination, and “INDIA PORTUGUEZA.” The issue represents the monetary history of Portuguese India and the circulation of colonial coinage in the Indian subcontinent.