India 1880-C 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 31009 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $7,050. The catalog description[1] noted, "British India. Victoria 1/2 Rupee 1880-(c) AU58 NGC, Calcutta mint. Tan-brown tone highlights portions of the devices with exceptional luster retention for the grade. A coveted date in any grade, and especially desirable in grades that approach Mint State and above. While only four example of the date have been graded by NGC, the present piece rests significantly higher than all others in the census with the closest examples being two pieces graded at the VF tier." 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 not rare but is infrequently seen compared to the silver rupee. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN."
Recorded mintage: 180,000, a very rare date.
Specifications: 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, and Warren Tucker, Heritage Signature Auction 3035, World and Ancient Coins, featuring the FoxLair Collection and the Law Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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