India 1945(b) anna
These specimens were lot 52373 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where they did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Duo of Anna Restrikes (2 Pieces), 1945-(B). Bombay Mint. George VI. Both PCGS Certified. 1) PCGS Proof-64. Small Portrait. 2) PCGS Proof-63. Large Portrait. A beautiful pairing of two different obverse varieties, this handsome group offers both pieces in tremendous preservation, with strong proof reflectivity, and no signs of excess handling." The anna was 1/64 of a rupee. It was introduced as a copper-nickel coin in 1906 and struck in that form until 1942, when it was converted to nickel-brass during the war, as shown here. It is common, tho the proofs are rare. Altho the SCWC assigns separate catalog numbers to the large and small portrait, we think the difference is too subtle to create separate pages; we show them both here.
Recorded mintage: 61,228,000 plus 278,360,000 from Calcutta.
Specification: 3.89 g, nickel brass, 20.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: the first specimen KM-539; S&W-9.180, the second specimen KM-537A; S&W-9.180.
- 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, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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