India 1849 1/2 rupee
This type was struck at Madras, Bombay and Calcutta in numerous varieties for the East India Company with a frozen date of 1840 until the introduction of the Victoria half rupee (KM 472) in 1862. This specimen was lot 30108 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $3,525. The catalog description[1] noted, "British India. Victoria Proof Restrike 1/2 Rupee 1849 PR65 NGC. Reeded edge variety. Graphite surfaces illuminate with peach and amber hues on this fantastic restrike issue. Exceptionally sharp in both appearance and in technical quality, worthy of a premium bid." The 1849 does not seem to have been struck for circulation; it and the accompanying two annas, quarter rupee and rupee are only known as restrikes.
Recorded mintage: unknown but few.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver, .171 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 456.4 (reeded edge, shown here) and KM 456.5 (plain edge).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stevens, Paul, and Randy Weir, The Uniform Coinage of India, 1835 to 1947, A Catalogue and Pricelist, London, Spink & Son Ltd, 2012.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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