India 1884(b) 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 2470 in Goldberg sale 110 (Los Angeles, June 2019), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "India-British. Half Rupee, 1884. Victoria. Uncirculated with a pleasing gold peripheral toning. A rare type in this high quality. NGC graded MS-61." 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: 1,110,000 at Bombay (dot or no mintmark) plus more at Calcutta (incuse C mintmark) plus proofs.
Specifications: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver, .171 troy oz ASW.
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]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 110: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2019.
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