India 1883(b) 1/4 rupee
This specimen was lot 71647 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $456. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/4 Rupee, 1883-(B). Bombay Mint. Victoria. PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. A KEY DATE in this series, the present minor features a pleasing light gray hue and some hints of brilliance remaining in the protected areas, all while a very light degree of gentle handling is present." 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." This date, which features a dot for a mintmark, is very scarce.
Recorded mintage: 184,000.
Specification: 2.92 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-490; S&W-6.271; Prid-415.
- 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, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
Link to: