Bikanir 1895 1/4 anna
This specimen was lot 33960 in Heritage sale 3098 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $8,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "India: Bikanir. Ganga Singh silver Proof Off-Metal Restrike 1/4 Anna 1895 PR63 NGC. A scarce off-metal strike in silver, and a clearly elusive issue in public auction records, with apparently only a single example appearing since Baldwins' offering of the David Fore Collection. The choice condition of this needle-sharp example only renders it all the more desirable, its surfaces remaining alluringly glassy and downright reflective to the reverse, while a delicate arrangement of silver patina graces the obverse and reverse surfaces. The first example of this issue that we have encountered, and a fleeting opportunity for our bidders. Ex. David Fore Collection." Bikanir state was in the northern part of Rajputana and was mostly desert.
Recorded mintage: 6,156,000 in copper.
Specification: 6.14 g, copper, 25.16 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 71 (copper), KM 71a (silver) or KM 71b (gold).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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