Kashmir VS1932 rupee
This specimen was lot 75061 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2024), where it sold for $408. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Kashmir. Rupee, VS 1946 (1889). Srinagar Mint. Pertab Singh (Under Victoria as Empress). PCGS MS-63. A handsome example in Choice condition. Well-struck with lustrous originality and charming iridescent tone." Altho the auctioneers catalogued this specimen as an issue of Pertab Singh (Pratap Singh is more accurate), it is dated "١٩٣٢" (1932) = 1875 AD, making it an issue of his predecessor, Ranbir Singh. Ranbir issued a heavy rupee (KM 21, 6.8 g, struck VS 1931-1933) and a light rupee (KM 21a, 6.65 g, struck VS 1934-1942). While Ranbir always posed as a loyal servant of the Raj, he annoyed the British by refusing to accept a Political Resident at his court. The Vikram Samvat calendar is 57 years ahead of the AD date altho it starts in April rather than January 1.
Wikipedia comments,
"Ranbir Singh GCIE (August 1830 – 12 September 1885) was Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1856 until his death in 1885. Sir Pratap Singh GCSI GCIE GBE (18 July 1848 – 23 September 1925) was the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, and head of the Jamwal Rajput clan. He was succeeded as Maharaja by his nephew, Hari Singh, in 1925."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.8 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM 21.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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