Rare Quarter Rupee of George VI in 1940

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George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George) became King of the United Kingdom on 11 December 1936 following the abdication of his elder brother, Edward VIII. His accession occurred during one of the most turbulent periods in modern British history, with his reign encompassing the Second World War and the gradual dissolution of the British Empire. In addition to his role as King, George VI held the title of Emperor of India until 15 August 1947, when British rule in the Indian subcontinent came to an end. The coinage issued under his authority therefore represents the final imperial series of British India, making it especially significant to numismatists and historians alike.

The Quarter Rupee series of George VI illustrates the changing economic circumstances of the era through successive modifications in metallic composition. The inaugural issue of 1939 was struck in 0.917 fine silver, preserving the long-established silver standard of British Indian coinage. However, the increasing demand for precious metals during the Second World War compelled the Government of India to reduce the silver content to 0.500 fine in 1940 and again for the issues of 1942-1945. By 1946, silver had been completely abandoned in favour of nickel, a transition that continued through the final issue of 1947. These metallurgical changes reflect the wartime economy and provide collectors with an important chronological sequence of alloy variations.

Quarter Rupees of this reign were produced at the Calcutta, Bombay and Lahore Mints. Despite changes in composition, the denomination retained a consistent diameter of approximately 19.0-19.5 mm. The 1939 and 1940 issues were manufactured with a finely milled edge, while later nickel issues exhibit the modified specifications adopted for post-war production. The 1940 date is particularly noteworthy for its mint varieties: coins struck at the Bombay Mint are distinguished by a small dot mint mark beneath the date, whereas those produced at the Calcutta Mint bear no mint mark. These subtle distinctions are of considerable importance for accurate attribution and catalogue classification.

Among the most intriguing discoveries associated with this series is an unusual 1940 Copper Quarter Rupee. The specimen exhibits the same obverse portrait, reverse design, legends, and milled edge as the standard Bombay Mint issue, indicating that it was struck from official Quarter Rupee dies. Its dimensions closely correspond to those of the regular circulation coin, yet its copper composition and weight of 2.64 g clearly differentiate it from the authorised silver issue. The outer rim of the obverse also displays slight variations, consistent with the use of an unintended planchet during striking.

From a numismatic perspective, this remarkable piece is best classified as an Off-Metal Strike (OMS), a mint error produced when a coin is struck on a planchet intended for another denomination or metal. Such errors are exceptionally scarce because they originate within the minting process and ordinarily escape detection only in very limited numbers. Off-metal strikes offer valuable insight into mint operations, die usage, and quality-control procedures, making them highly desirable among advanced collectors of British Indian coinage. Should this 1940 Copper Quarter Rupee be authenticated through metallurgical examination and die comparison, it would represent an important and previously undocumented mint error, adding a rare and fascinating chapter to the numismatic history of the George VI Quarter Rupee series.


Silver Quarter Rupee of 1940 (Bombay minted)

Silver Quarter Rupee of 1940 (Calcutta minted)




I love to collect coins, specially British Indian coins

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