India 1879(b) rupee
This specimen was lot 73019 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, June 2020), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Rupee, 1879-(B). Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC MS-62. Enticingly toned, this near choice example exhibits some alluring iridescence highlighting the devices and at the extreme peripheries." 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 largest silver denomination. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN." The mintmark is visible as a dot above the lotus on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: 72,800,000.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.79 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 492; S&W-6.49.
- 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 June 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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