British Indian and Mughal Coins

Following the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901 , her eldest son, King Edward VII , ascended the British throne, inaugurating a new chapter in the coinage of British India. The Indian coinage bearing his portrait was issued from 1903 to 1910 and is immediately recognisable by the King's uncrowned bust . Although Edward VII became monarch in 1901, his coronation was not held until 9 August 1902 . Since the master dies for the Indian coinage had already been prepared before the coronation, the portrait depicts the King without the Imperial Crown, making the Edward VII series unique among British Indian coins. The 1903 One Rupee is one of the most fascinating issues in the Edward VII series because of its remarkable diversity of mint and die varieties. Based on my research, six distinct varieties can be identified for this inaugural year. The Rupee was struck at both the Calcutta and Bombay Mints. Calcutta issues bear no mint mark , whereas Bombay Mint coins are known w...