India 1876(b) 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 952 in Stephen Album sale 39 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $390. The catalog description[1] noted, "BRITISH INDIA: Victoria, Queen, 1837-1876, AR ½ rupee, 1876(b), pleasing gray toning, stained, NGC graded Unc details." This type was issued at Calcutta and Bombay 1862-76 in a bewildering array of varieties, including proofs, off-metal strikes and restrikes. The type is the second largest silver denomination. It is not rare but never minted in massive quantities like the rupee. It is distinguished from the type issued 1877-1901 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA QUEEN" instead of "VICTORIA EMPRESS."
Recorded mintage: 966,000.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-475.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Stevens, Paul, and Randy Weir, The Uniform Coinage of India, 1835 to 1947, A Catalogue and Pricelist, London, Spink & Son Ltd, 2012.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 39, featuring the John Sylvester, Jr., Collection of Annamese Medals and Orders, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
Link to: