Can princely state coins and notes be exported — or are they protected cultural property?
Princely state coins and notes are protected cultural property under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 — all are antiquities by definition (100+ years old). They can only be exported with an ASI Director General export permit. Without this permit, taking a Hyderabad Nizam note or a Travancore fanam coin out of India is a criminal offence under AATA Section 25, punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years. The export restriction applies regardless of the item's monetary or collector value, regardless of how the item was acquired, and regardless of whether the exporter is Indian or foreign.
The AATA export restriction — non-negotiable
AATA Section 3 states: it shall not be lawful for any person, other than the Central Government or its authorised agencies, to export any antiquity. The restriction is absolute — there are no category exemptions, no value thresholds, and no citizenship-based exceptions. A Travancore chuckram coin is an antiquity. A Hyderabad Ashrafi gold coin is an antiquity. A Jaipur state treasury note is an antiquity. All require ASI export permits. All are equally protected under Section 3 regardless of their individual value.
The export permit process — applying to ASI
The ASI Director General's office processes export permit applications for antiquities. The application requires: a detailed description of the item (denomination, issuing authority, year if known, condition, dimensions, weight); photographs from multiple angles; an explanation of the purpose of export (sale, exhibition, personal carry, etc.); and proof of lawful ownership (acquisition records, dealer invoice). For significant princely state items being sent to an international auction, the auction house typically assists with the export permit application on the seller's behalf.
Export permits are discretionary — the ASI may decline to issue a permit for items it considers too significant to leave India. In practice, permits are more readily granted for duplicates of commonly held pieces (Nizam rupee coins of which many specimens exist) than for extremely rare unique pieces. An individual fanam or chuckram sold to a foreign collector is unlikely to be refused; a unique prototype or extremely rare variety might be held back.
The destination country angle — import restrictions
Most countries that actively collect South Asian numismatics — the UK, USA, Germany, Switzerland — have no specific import restriction on Indian antiquities that are exported with ASI permits. However, several countries apply the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Under this framework, Indian antiquities that were illegally exported from India (without ASI permits, especially those taken during or before independence) may be subject to return demands. Legal export with ASI permits creates a clean documentary trail that eliminates this risk.
| ! | Never carry princely state coins or notes out of India without an ASI export permit. Customs officers at major international airports have ASI-trained archaeologist officers present. The penalty is imprisonment up to 7 years. The permit application is straightforward for items with documented legitimate ownership. The risk of not applying far exceeds the administrative burden of applying. |
Laws & authorities referenced in this chapter
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 — §3 (export prohibition: all antiquities; ASI permit required)
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 — §25 (penalty: up to 7 years imprisonment for illegal export)
UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970) — India is a signatory; legal export with ASI permit satisfies convention requirements
Customs Act 1962 — customs examination at airports; ASI archaeologist officers stationed at major international airports
Princely state coins and notes: protected cultural property under AATA. Export requires ASI Director General export permit — no exceptions, no thresholds. Without permit: AATA §25 imprisonment up to 7 years. Permit application: description + photographs + purpose + ownership proof. ASI may decline for extremely rare unique pieces. Destination countries: legal export with ASI permit satisfies UNESCO 1970 Convention requirements. Apply 4-6 weeks before intended export date. Auction houses handling international sales typically assist with permit applications.
This is educational content, not legal advice. For a specific situation, please consult a qualified legal professional. Excerpted from Currency, Coins & The Law by Mayank Agarwal, Part 32: Princely States, Colonial & Pre-Independence Currency — Princely State Notes, Hyderabad Nizam, EIC Heritage, Repatriation, Portuguese & French India, Ancient Coins, Colonial Export.