Bikanir 1897 rupee
This specimen was lot 73615 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Bikanir. Rupee, 1897. Ganga Singh (under Victoria as Empress). PCGS AU-58. Blanketed in even golden-olive patina on both sides with a swath of amber-russet iridescence at the rims. The surfaces are smoother than one might expect of the grade and the eye appeal is significant. Any evidence of handling is a challenge to detect, even under a glass." This type is listed for 1892 and 1897. It was likely made under contract at Calcutta or Bombay. Bikanir state was in the northern part of Rajputana and was mostly desert.
Recorded mintage: 111,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 18-20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-72.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to:
- Bikanir 1892 rupee
- Bikanir 1895 1/4 anna, struck in silver
- Coins and currency dated 1897