India 1917(b) 1/2 rupee
This specimen was lot 73722 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. 1/2 Rupee, 1917-(B). Bombay Mint. George V. NGC MS-64. KM-522; Pr-341. A nice near-Gem example, this wholesome piece offers wonderful details and a touch of smoky toning that warms the argent surfaces." This half rupee was struck at the Calcutta mint during World War One. It was never minted in the immense numbers of the George V rupees but it is not rare, being struck steadily 1912-30, 1933-36. This date is common. The minting of rupees effectively ceased after 1922.
Recorded mintage: 8,822,000, a high mintage date.
Specification: 5.83 g, 0.917 fine silver, .172 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-522; Prid-325.
- 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, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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