India 1891 1/2 pice
This specimen was lot 33261 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/2 Pice, 1891-(C). Calcutta Mint. Victoria. PCGS MS-64 Brown. The sole finest graded specimen on the PCGS population report, this alluring near-Gem is rich with mint charm, with sharp details and a limited touch of original mint red retained. As such an impressive example, we expect many excited bidders for this specimen to compete." This type was struck 1877-78 and 1885-1901 in moderate quantities and was worth one-eighth of an anna. Calcutta was the sole producer. It is common altho the off-metal strikes, made for collectors, are rare.
Recorded mintage: 5,139,000 plus proofs and restrikes.
Specification: 3.0-3.3 g, copper, 21 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-484; S&W-6.568; Prid-723.
- 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, May 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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