India 1915(b) 2 annas
The first specimen was lot 71687 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $80. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 2 Annas, 1915-(B). Bombay Mint. PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield. Quite engaging and full of character, this near-Gem minor offers a delightful burnished amber-olive tone that is further enlivened by cartwheel luster that greatly catches the light." The second specimen was lot 42254 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $120. The catalog description[2] noted, "INDIA. 2 Annas, 1915-(B). Bombay Mint. George V. NGC MS-64." The two annas was 1/32nd of a rupee and was the smallest silver denomination struck under the predecimal system. It was struck in moderate numbers for George V 1912-17. The absence of a dot below the date marks this as a product of the Calcutta mint. The denomination was converted to copper-nickel in 1918 and struck in that form until 1941.
Reported Mintage: 5,943,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 1.46 g, 0.917 fine silver, 15.7 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-515; S&W-8.210; Prid-574.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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