OMS Half Rupee of George VI in 1947

George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was concurrently the last Emperor of India until August 1947, when the British Raj was dissolved.

During the period of George VI, half Rupee was minted in Calcutta, Bombay and Lahore in 0.917 silver, 0.500 silver and Nickel with a reeded edge and later a security edge. Standard weight was around 5.7g to 5.9g and diameter 24.0mm to 24.4mm. Edge was milled from 1938 to 1940 and 1946 to 1947; and security edge was from 1941 to 1945. There was no mint mark for Calcutta. The Bombay issues have a small dot or diamond on the reverse under the ornate (the lotus flower) near the bottom of the coin. The Lahore mint used a small "L" in the same position. When the composition switched to Nickel in 1946 a completely different reverse (an Indian tiger) was introduced.

On 1947, only Bombay mint half Rupee was documented in different book and material was Nickel. But I found copper half rupees of 1947 as below photo contain a weight of 5.86g and 5.68g with diameter of 24.0mm and milled edge. These are generally known as Off Metal Strike (OMS) Copper coins.


Similar coin shown at Marudhar Arts, Lot # 927 - Rare Copper Half Rupee Coin of King George VI of Bombay Mint of 1947. Description was - 1947, King George VI, Off Metal Strike, Copper1/2 Rupee, Bombay Mint, (Unlisted in Pridmore), about very fine, Rare. (https://marudhararts.com/printed-auction/auction-no-20/lot-no-927/coins-of-india/british-india/rupee-1/2-/rare-copper-half-rupee-coin-of-king-george-vi-of-bombay-mint-of-1947-.html). And another similar coin saw at icollector.com, 927 Rare Copper Half Rupee Coin of King George VI of Bombay Mint of 1947.  Description was - 1947, King George VI, Off Metal Strike, Copper 1/2 Rupee, Bombay Mint, (Unlisted in Pridmore), about very fine, Rare. (https://www.icollector.com/Rare-Copper-Half-Rupee-Coin-of-King-George-VI-of-Bombay-Mint-of-1947_i25391505).










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