Small Two Annas of George V in 1920

George Frederick Ernest Albert, widely known as King George V, reigned as King of the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, and Emperor of India from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. His reign coincided with a period of considerable change in the coinage of British India, driven by economic pressures, rising metal prices, and advances in minting technology. These developments resulted in several alterations to the composition, design, and manufacture of circulating coinage, making the George V series one of the most diverse and extensively studied in British Indian numismatics.

The Two Annas denomination experienced its most significant transformation during this period. From 1911 to 1917, it was struck in 0.917 fine silver with the traditional circular format. Beginning in 1918, the denomination was redesigned and issued in copper-nickel, adopting the distinctive rectangular shape with rounded corners and a plain edge that remained in use until 1936. Production was undertaken at both the Calcutta and Bombay Mints. Calcutta issues bear no mint mark, whereas Bombay Mint coins are distinguished by a raised dot beneath the Telugu inscription on the reverse, enabling straightforward mint attribution for most dates.

The 1920 copper-nickel Two Annas was produced to an official specification of approximately 21.4 × 21.4 mm, with a standard weight of around 5.72 grams and a thickness of approximately 1.8 mm. According to the principal catalogues and standard references on British Indian coinage, only the Calcutta Mint struck this denomination in 1920. Consequently, all genuine circulation issues are expected to be without a mint mark, consistent with normal Calcutta Mint practice.

An unusual specimen examined during this study differs from the standard issue in one important respect. The coin measures approximately 20.9 × 20.9 mm, making it noticeably smaller than the official specification. Despite the reduced dimensions, its weight and thickness closely correspond to those of the regular 1920 issue, indicating that the reduction in size is not accompanied by a proportional reduction in mass. The absence of a Bombay mint dot confirms its similarity to the recognised Calcutta Mint variety, while the style of the inscriptions, numerals, and other design elements closely matches those found on regular Calcutta-struck coins.

The coexistence of standard weight and thickness with a reduced module makes this specimen particularly interesting from a numismatic standpoint. Such a combination is not recorded in the standard literature and cannot be readily explained by normal circulation wear, as wear typically reduces weight rather than significantly altering the overall dimensions while preserving thickness. Possible explanations include striking on an undersized planchet, the use of a specially prepared blank, an experimental production, or another previously undocumented mint anomaly. Although the die characteristics appear consistent with the official Calcutta issue, the discrepancy in module suggests that additional investigation, including die comparison, planchet examination, and metallurgical analysis, is warranted.

If further authenticated through the examination of additional examples, this reduced-module 1920 Two Annas may represent a previously unrecorded variety or mint striking anomaly within the George V copper-nickel series. Its close conformity to the official design, combined with its unusual physical characteristics, makes it a valuable specimen for future research and highlights the continuing potential for new discoveries even within one of the most comprehensively documented series of British Indian coinage.