Travancore Princely State 1 Chuckram of Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma V

Travancore Princely State, Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma V, Period: 1906–1935 CE, Denomination: 1 Chuckram, Metal: Copper, Weight: 9.94 grams, Diameter: 26.68 mm, Reference: KM #49, About Very Fine, Scarce.

Obverse: Conch shell (Shanku), the traditional emblem of Travancore, placed within a central circle and flanked by decorative sprays, with the entire design surrounded by a beaded border.

Reverse: The initials “RV” for Rama Varma appear within a beaded circle. The denomination is inscribed outside in English as “ONE CHUCKRAM” and in Malayalam as “ഒരു ചക്രം” (One Chuckram), with the entire design enclosed within an outer beaded border.

Travancore was one of the most prominent princely states of southern India and maintained its own distinctive monetary system under its ruling house. This One Chuckram type was issued between 1906 and 1935, spanning the later reign of Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma V, the regency of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, and the early reign of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma II. Travancore coinage of this period combined traditional regional symbolism with modern milled production, reflecting the state’s transition toward a more standardized monetary system during the early twentieth century.

Coinage Note: The copper One Chuckram, catalogued as KM #49, is distinguished by the prominent Shanku or sacred conch emblem associated with Travancore and the bilingual denomination in English and Malayalam. The “RV” initials preserve the association with Rama Varma, while the carefully arranged beaded borders and milled manufacture give the type its characteristic appearance. This series represents an important transitional chapter in the later coinage of the Travancore Princely State.