India 1887-B 1/4 rupee

from the Mountain Groan Collection

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." For 1887, the Bombay product comes with an raised "B" mintmark in the flower above "¼" and Calcutta is marked with an incuse "C". Some of the 1888's lack a mintmark. The mintmarks (or lack of them) varied from year to year.

Recorded mintage: 4,422,000 plus 12,378,000 from Calcutta.

Specification: 2.92 g, 0.917 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-490.

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.

Link to:

• 1886-B quarter rupee
• 1886-C quarter rupee
• 1887(b) quarter anna
• 1887-B 2 annas
• 1887-C 2 annas
• 1887-B half rupee
• 1887-C half rupee
• India 1887-B rupee
• India 1887-C rupee
• 1888-B quarter rupee
• Coins and currency dated 1887
• return to coins of India