India 1881(b) rupee
This specimen was lot 73676 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Rupee, 1881-(B). Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC AU-58. A bright and lustrous piece with white surfaces exhibiting a hint of peripheral tone. Verging on the cusp of Mint State, though some slight friction over the highest points defines the grade." 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." This date is without mintmark. Both Bombay and Calcutta issues for 1881 are scarce with the Bombay product verging on rare.
Recorded mintage: 3,162,000 plus 2,436,000 from Calcutta.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.8 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-492; SW-6.58; Prid-157.
- 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, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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