Sikh Empire VS(18)82 1/4 rupee

Steve Album Auction 52, lot 742

This specimen was lot 742 in Steve Album Auction 52 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2025), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SIKH EMPIRE: AR 1/4 rupee, Amritsar, VS1882, with frozen date VS188x, a rare denomination and an attractive example, PCGS graded AU55." Altho rupees from the Sikh Empire are common, half and quarter rupees are rare. The SCWC lists this type from Amritsar only for AH1871, 1879-1880 and 1883. This example is dated "۸۲" on the top of the reverse. The Sikhs were crushed in AD 1849 (VS 1906) and their coinage ended.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 2.68-2.90 g, silver, 15 mm diameter, this specimen 2.77 g.

Catalog reference: KM-18.1 (unlisted date).

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Dustin Wagner, Auction 52, featuring the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld Collection and the Almer H. Orr III Collection, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

• VS 1882 paisa or falus, Multan mint
• VS 1882 rupee, Amritsar mint
• VS 1883 (1826) rupee, Amritsar mint
• Sikh Empire VS(18)99 1/4 rupee, Amritsar mint
• Coins and currency dated 1825