India 1919(b) 4 annas

from Stack's Bowers 2016 ANA sale, lot 22576

This four annas was struck at the Bombay mint after World War One. A wartime surge in the price of silver prompted the British authorities to replace the silver quarter rupee with this copper-nickel type. It must not have been a success as it was dropped after only three years (1919-21). Likewise, the copper-nickel eight annas was abandoned after 1920. This specimen was lot 22576 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $188. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. 4 Annas, 1919-(B). ICG MS-64. Seen far more frequently as a proof restrike, original mint state examples are far less seldom offered. Brilliant with a few light tone streaks on the reverse."

Recorded mintage: 7,672,000 plus restrikes.

Specification: 6.50 g, copper-nickel.

Catalog reference: KM-519.

Source:

• 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, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.

Link to:

• 1919 ½ pice
• 1919 ¼ anna
• 1919(b) anna
• 1919(c) 2 annas
• 1919(c) 4 annas
• 1919(b) 8 annas
• 1919(c) quarter rupee
• 1919(b) half rupee
• 1919(b) rupee
• 1919(c) rupee
• 1920(b) 4 annas
• 1921(c) half rupee
• Coins and currency dated 1919
• return to India