The British-Indian government used precious metal coinage until 1947 and did not oppose the use of coins in jewelry; in fact, they encouraged the practice as a form of government propaganda. The increased decorative use of coins in the nineteenth century manifested itself at a time of relative political and economic stability, when the precious metal coinage was available in sufficient quantity to permit this use, even though when coins are used for ornamental purposes they are withdrawn from circulation and lose their function as exchange currency.
On British-Indian silver coins, the image was always a British ruler: William IV (1830-1837), Victoria (1837-1901). Edward VII (1901-1910), George V (1910-1936), and George VI (1936-1952). In effect, coin ornaments become a form of commemorative jewelry marking the reigns of various British monarchs related to Indian history. Such coins are referred to as kampani, the reference being to the British East Indian Company that governed India till 1857, followed thereafter by direct British administration. This designation persists even when post-Company British rule silver coins are referred to in jewelry.
the central bead between the four coins here is an inverted lemon. The lemon is a symbol of faithfulness, especially in love.
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