India 1881(b) 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 31010 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $2,585. The catalog description[1] noted, "British India. Victoria 1/2 Rupee 1881-(b) MS63 NGC, Bombay mint. Gray toned at the margins with attractive, silvery centers and very few marks on either side. A key date for this half rupee type and scarcely encountered at the Mint State tier (MS60-MS70). Rather rare at this Select (MS63) level, and currently tied for the finest graded at NGC." 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: 1,591,000 plus proofs and restrikes.
Specifications: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver, .171 troy oz ASW, 24 mm diameter.
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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