India 1911(b) rupee

from the Stack's Bowers 2017 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72434

Heritage sale 3064, lot 33247

from the Mountain Groan Collection

the elephant in question

The first specimen was lot 72434 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Santa Ana, CA, May 2017), where it sold for $80. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. 'Pig' Rupee, 1911-(B). NGC MS-61. Sharply struck with full mint luster." The second specimen was lot 33247 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $360. The catalog description^[2] noted, "British India. George V Rupee 1911-(b) MS64 PCGS, Bombay mint. Toned to a light steel hue, with darker toning accents caressing the legends and devices, bringing forth the fine detail in this exquisite piece." This inaugural rupee of George V shows the king wearing the Order of the Elephant. This animal was interpreted as a pig, to the outrage of sensitive Hindus and Muslims. As a result, about 95% were melted and struck into 1912's and 1913's.

Recorded mintage: 5,143,000 plus 4,300,000 from Calcutta.

Specification: 11.66 g, .917 silver, .343 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM-523.

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, Rick, et al., The May 2017 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
• ^[2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.

Link to:

• 1910-B ½ rupee
• 1911(c) 2 annas
• 1911(c) ¼ rupee
• 1911(c) rupee
• 1912(b) rupee
• Coins and currency dated 1911
• return to coins of India