Caxa Pubblico Deposited
A copper coin former- ly used in the Malay Peninsula; the name is a Portuguese word derived from the Hindu Kasu, or Kas. The common word cash (q.v.) comes from this root.
A Dutch writer in the latter part of the sixteenth century refers to it as being of the size of the Duit, but with a hole in the centre. He adds that two hundred Caixas are equal to one Sata, and five Satas have the value of a Carolus Gulden or a Portu- guese Cruzado.
Houtman, in his Joumaal (June 11. 1596), kept in the Straits of Sunda, states that one hundred and sixteen Caxas are equal to one Spanish Real, Conf. Netseher and v.d. Chijs (p. 152).
Birch, in his Commentaries, Hakluyt Soc'y (ii. 128 ff), states that Albuquerque, the Governor General, ordered a coinage for Malacca in 1510, ;is follows: Pieces of 2 Caixas (tin) =1 Dinheiro; 10 Dinheiros (tin) =1 Soldo: 10 Soldos (tin) =1 Bas- tardo; 5 Bastardos (tin) = 1 Malaque (silver), or 1 Catholico (gold).
- Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)