India 1893-C rupee

Stack's Bowers October 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 71220

This specimen was lot 71220 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $408. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. Rupee, 1893-C. Calcutta Mint. Victoria. PCGS MS-63. Exquisitely detailed with flashy surfaces. While of limited visual significan[ce], a few grazes in the luster prevent an even higher grade." This type was issued at Calcutta and Bombay 1877-1901 in a bewildering array of varieties, including proofs, off-metal strikes and restrikes. The type is the largest silver denomination. It is distinguished from the type issued 1862-76 by the obverse legend, "VICTORIA EMPRESS" instead of "VICTORIA QUEEN." In the 1890's, the falling price of silver was exerting pressure on the Indian financial system; in a doomed attempt to reverse the slide, the British suspended the production of silver coinage 1894-96 with the exception of the two annas.

Recorded mintage: 9,140,000, a slightly better date.

Specification: 11.66 g, .917 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-492; S&W-6.133.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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, The October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.

Link to:

• 1892-B rupee
• 1892-C rupee
• 1893 1/12 anna
• 1893 half pice
• 1893(c) ¼ anna
• 1893-B 2 annas
• 1893-C 2 annas
• 1893-C quarter rupee
• 1893-B half rupee
• 1893-B rupee
• Coins and currency dated 1893