India 1891-B 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 33719 in Heritage sale 3114 (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $4,080. The lot description[1] noted, "British India. Victoria Proof Early Restrike 1/2 Rupee 1891-B PR65 NGC, Bombay mint. A Proof-only date struck both in Calcutta and Bombay, but Bombay examples such as this are much more rare. The last auction record for this issue that we could find was a damaged specimen sold at Baldwin's in 2009, with many Calcutta Restrike Proofs having been sold over that same time period. The designation of being an 'early' restrike only serves to increase the already formidable rarity of this piece. The condition of the current offering does not underserve its scarcity; pristine, shimmering surfaces display a light envelope patina and champagne effervescence. A delight of an offering for the Half Rupee specialist, and one we foresee being hotly contested." This type was struck 1877-1900 in substantial quantities altho nothing like the numbers of the rupee. Some dates, including 1891, are proof only. The "B" mintmark is incuse for 1891.
Recorded mintage: unknown but all proofs; restrikes exist as shown here.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 491, S&W-6.208, Prid-301.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2024 January 16 - 18 NYINC World Coins Signature Auction #3114, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2023.
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