India 1898-C rupee
This specimen was lot 56508 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Rupee, 1898-C. Calcutta Mint. Victoria. NGC AU-58." This type was issued at Calcutta and Bombay 1877-1901 in a bewildering array of varieties, including proofs, off-metal strikes and restrikes. The minting of rupees was interrupted several times in the 1890's as British authorities struggled to prevent the falling price of silver from disrupting the Indian economy and balance of payments. World War One finally solved their problem by raising the price of silver and removing gold from circulation.
Recorded mintage: 1,251,000 plus proofs, a scarce date.
Specification: 11.66 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.79 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-492; S&W-6.145; Prid-137.
- 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 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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