India 1897-B rupee
This specimen was lot 34262 in Heritage sale 3082 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $1,980. The catalog description[1] noted, "India: British India. Victoria Proof Restrike Rupee 1897-B PR65 NGC, Bombay mint. An extremely desirable full-bodied restrike replete with hard flashy mirrors. Tied for the finest at NGC, with a PL65 bringing $1560 as part of our sale of the Hamilton Collection." This rupee was struck at the Bombay mint plus 470,000 more from the Calcutta mint. They may be distinguished by a tiny mintmark in the flower directly above the "ONE" on the reverse. The type was issued beginning in 1877; earlier dates (KM 473, 1862-76) had the obverse legend "VICTORIA QUEEN." This is one of the scarce dates in an otherwise plentiful series.
Recorded mintage: 1,055,000 plus restrikes.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.79 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 492.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Online Auction 3082, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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