India 1888(c) 1/4 rupee
This specimen was lot 606 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 500 CHF (about US$664 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"INDIA | British India, Victoria 1837-1901. 1/4 Rupee 1888, Calcutta. NGC MS64. Überdurchschnittliche Erhaltung. (India, Victoria, 1837-1901, quarter rupee of 1888, Calcutta mint. Extraordinary condition.)"
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 third largest silver denomination. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN." For 1888, the Bombay product comes with a raised or incuse "B" mintmark and Calcutta is not mintmarked. The mintmarks (or lack of them) varied from year to year.
Recorded mintage: 4,945,000.
Specification: 2.92 g, 0.917 fine silver, .171 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 490.
- 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]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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