2025 – 8th Numismatic Exhibit Displaying Mysore Wodeyar Coins

Exhibited a collection of Kannada Numeral Kasu coins of the Mysore Kingdom at the 33rd Annual South Indian Numismatic National Conference, jointly organized by the South Indian Numismatic Society (SINS), Chennai, and The Mythic Society, Bengaluru, held on May 24–25, 2025, at Centenary Hall, 2nd Floor, The Mythic Society, Nrupatunga Road, Bengaluru – 560001.

These hand-struck Kasu coins, issued annually by Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar during his reign from 1673 to 1704, mark the completion of each year of his rule. In 1674, the coin bore the Kannada numeral 1, representing the first completed year, followed by numerals 2 through 31 in the subsequent years. After the king’s demise, his queen consort, serving as regent, issued two rare coins numbered 32 and 33 in 1705 and 1706, respectively.

In addition to the Kasu series, the Smallest Gold Coin in the World was also displayed—the Belle from the Vijayanagar Empire, weighing only one-tenth of a Fanam, and believed to date back to approximately the 14th century C.E.

The South Indian Numismatic Society conducts annual conferences across different cities, with sessions focused on unexplored themes, unknown coins, and new interpretations of South Indian coinage. The goal is to foster scholarly exchange among historians, numismatists, and collectors.

The Mythic Society, founded on May 5, 1909, by a group of Indian and European scholars, has long stood as a cornerstone of Bengaluru’s cultural and intellectual history. It has made significant contributions to the fields of History, Archaeology, Epigraphy, Philosophy, Ethnography, and Folklore. F.H. Richards, then Collector of the Bangalore Cantonment District, played a pivotal role in establishing the institution.

The 33rd Annual Conference was inaugurated by Dr. Jayakar Shetty, Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University, along with the release of Volume XXXII of Studies in South Indian Coins—a journal compiling papers presented at the previous year’s Hyderabad session. The conference was presided over by Shri V. Nagaraj, President of The Mythic Society, in the presence of Dr. R. Gopal, Former Director, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Government of Karnataka. A special felicitation was held for Prof. A.V. Narasimhamurthy, renowned numismatist, archaeologist, historian, and General Secretary of SINS.

It was a rare opportunity and a special privilege to exhibit at The Mythic Society. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jayasimha, Local Secretary and Senior Research Fellow at The Mythic Society, for offering exhibition space in recognition of our deep interest in numismatics.

During the conference, the Mysore Wodeyar coin exhibit received valuable feedback and insights from seasoned numismatists and fellow collectors.

Sincere appreciation is extended to Dr. D. Raja Reddy, President, and Smt. Kala, Treasurer of SINS, along with the entire teams of SINS and The Mythic Society, for the opportunity to showcase this collection on such an esteemed platform. The experience was enriching and has sparked renewed enthusiasm for continued participation in future exhibitions. Explore the journey of exhibits showcased across various numismatic events to discover more about these fascinating collections.