The State of India, also known as the Portuguese State of India or Portuguese India, was a state of the Portuguese Empire from 1505 to December 1961. It comprised of the territories of Goa, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Diu, and Pani Kota Island. Portuguese India formed a single administrative province under a governor-general. For judicial purposes, the province of Goa also included Macau in China and Timor.
Goa, Daman, and Diu issued their own coinage until the middle of the 19th century. Diu issued lead 5 bazarucos coins, tin 10 and 20 bazarucos coins, copper 30 and 60 reis, and silver 150 and 300 reis and 1 rupia. Meanwhile, Daman issued copper coins in denominations of 3, 15, 30, and 60 reis.
Goa issued the most diverse coinage. The Goa Mint issued a tin Bastardo, copper coins (3 reis, 4 ½ reis, 6 reis, 7 ½ reis, 9 reis, 10 reis, 12 reis, 15 reis, ½ tanga, and 1 tanga) silver coins (1/2 tanga, 1 tanga, ½ pardau, 1 pardau, and 1 rupia), and gold coins (1 xerafin, 2 xerafins, 4 xerafins, 8 xerafins, and 12 xerafins). The Daman mint closed in 1854; the Diu mint closed in 1859; and the Goa mint closed in 1869.
Coins imported from Portugal soon circulated after the closure of the Goa mint. These coins followed the reformed subdivisions to the rupia. Copper coins were introduced in denominations of 3-, 5-, 10-, and 15-réis, 1⁄2 and 1 tanga. In 1881, copper 1⁄8 tanga and silver 1⁄8, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 and 1 rupia coins were introduced. Bronze replaced copper in 1901, whilst cupro-nickel 2 and 4 tangas were introduced in 1934, followed by 1⁄2 and 1 rupia in 1947 and 1952, respectively. The coins featured the King of Portugal and the coat of arms of Portuguese India.
The escudo replaced the rupia at a rate of 1 rupia to 6 escudo in 1958. It was subdivided into 100 centavos and was equal in value to the Portuguese escudo. The escudo was replaced by the Indian rupee following the integration of Goa to the Republic of India.
Coins were introduced in 1958. The denominations were 10 centavos, 30 centavos, 60 centavos, 1 escudo, 3 escudos, and 6 escudos. The 10 and 30 centavo coins were made of bronze while the remaining coins were made of cupro-nickel. Except for the 10 centavo coin, none of the coins were produced after 1959.
