India 1877(b) 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 72346 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2019), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/2 Rupee, 1877-(B). Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC AU Details--Cleaned. Some light cleaning is evident, but an otherwise pleasing piece with great detail remaining." This type was issued at Calcutta and Bombay 1877-1901 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 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN."
Recorded mintage: 214,000 plus more from Calcutta.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver, .171 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-491.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2019 Collector's Choice Sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2019.
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