India 1883-B rupee
This specimen was lot 73677 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Rupee, 1883-B. Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC AU-55. Despite some light circulation, this piece remains quite charming and wholesome." 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 example features a raised mintmark; most of Bombay's production that year was without mintmark. Both varieties are scarce.
Recorded mintage: 18,023,000 (most without mintmark) plus 5,123,000 from Calcutta.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.8 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-492; S&W-6.71; Prid-164.
- 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.
Link to: