India 1891-C 2 annas
This specimen was lot 42369 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 2 Annas Restrike, 1891-C. Calcutta Mint. Victoria. NGC PROOF-65. Designated as an early restrike, this scintillating Gem radiates with a tremendous degree of lustrous brilliance, all while a deep and alluring cabinet tone dominates the surfaces." 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 smallest silver denomination. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN." This date, which features an incuse mintmark, is common tho the proofs are rare.
Recorded mintage: 8,621,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 1.46 g, 0.917 fine silver, 15.7 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-488; S&W-6.407.
- 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.
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