India 1885-B 2 annas

from the Stack's Bowers 2024 ANA sale, lot 46670

This specimen was lot 46670 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $125. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. 2 Annas, 1885-B. Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC AU-58." This type was struck 1877-1901 in substantial quantities at Bombay and Calcutta. It was the smallest denomination struck in silver. The 1885 is a better date for both mints. The mintmark is a raised "B" in the flower above the "TWO"; some come without mintmark.

Recorded mintage: 2,262,000.

Specification: 1.46 g, 0.917 fine silver, 15.7 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-488; S&W-6.388; Prid-537.

Source:

• 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, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.

Link to:

• 1884(b) 2 annas
• 1885-C 2 annas
• 1885-C half rupee
• 1885-B rupee
• 1885-C rupee
• 1885(c) mohur
• 1886-B 2 annas
• 1886-C 2 annas
• Coins and currency dated 1885