India 1881(b) 1/4 rupee
This specimen was lot 75256 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/4 Rupee, 1881-(B). Bombay Mint. Victoria. PCGS AU-55. Lustrous deep silver gray surfaces are richly imbued with blushes and splashes of lilac and gold. A modestly circulated yet surprisingly mark-free example of this seldom encountered issue. Sure to see aggressive interest from British Indian specialists who wish for premium quality original pieces." 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 smallest silver denomination. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN." Varieties exist in the style of the queen's dress.
Recorded mintage: 1,444,000, a better date.
Specification: 2.692 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-490; Prid-410; S&W-6.263.
- 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, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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