India 1911(b) rupee
The first specimen was lot 72434 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Santa Ana, CA, May 2017), where it sold for $80. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 'Pig' Rupee, 1911-(B). NGC MS-61. Sharply struck with full mint luster." The second specimen was lot 33247 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[2] noted, "British India. George V Rupee 1911-(b) MS64 PCGS, Bombay mint. Toned to a light steel hue, with darker toning accents caressing the legends and devices, bringing forth the fine detail in this exquisite piece." This inaugural rupee of George V shows the king wearing the Order of the Elephant. This animal was interpreted as a pig, to the outrage of sensitive Hindus and Muslims. As a result, about 95% were melted and struck into 1912's and 1913's.
Recorded mintage: 5,143,000 plus 4,300,000 from Calcutta.
Specification: 11.66 g, .917 silver, .343 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-523.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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]Ponterio, Rick, et al., The May 2017 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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