Surprising Rupee of George VI in 1944

Albert Frederick Arthur George, familiar as George VI was the last Emperor of India of the British Raj until August 1947. He was the king of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 1936 to 1952.

One 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 from 11.33 to 11.66g and diameter 30.4mm to 30.7mm from 1938 to 1945 and 28mm on 1947 during the period of George VI. Edge was milled from 1938 and 1939; and security edge was from 1939 to 1945 and 1947. 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. A completely different reverse (an Indian tiger) was introduced on 1947 and material composition was also switched to Nickle.

On 1944, only Bombay and Lahore mint Rupee was documented in different books. Security and milled both edges were found for Bombay mint but only security for Lahore mint. Dot and Diamond, both were observed in Bombay mint; on the other hand, thick and thin L was observed in Lahore mint. According to the book of Rajgor’s, obverses are B (a), C, D types of Rupees of 1944 and reverse are two types, II and III.

Considering the lettering, I found two different varieties of Bombay mint (diamond at the bottom with security edge). Dimension and weight are also slightly different. Lettering in one coin was thick and another was thin.

Another Surprising golden colour Rupee of 1944 was found. Materials seems to be Nickel Brass with quite similar lettering of Lahore mint Rupee but lettering was thick. It was minorly damaged at one side and weight was found 10.45g with security edge. Considering damaged edge and overall size of the coin, overall weight should not be greater than 11g. That may be known as Off Metal Strike (OMS) coin.





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