India 1899-B 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 71831 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $204. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/2 Rupee, 1899-B. Bombay Mint. Victoria. NGC MS-62. Variety with backwards "B". A lustrous and boldly struck coin with a touch of light almond toning." 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 not rare but is infrequently seen compared to the silver rupee. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN."
Recorded mintage: 6,435,000.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-491.
- 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, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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