Surprising Counterfeit Rupee of British India in 1902

Alexandrina Victoria commonly known as Queen Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death on 1901. Her 63 years long reign is known as the Victorian era. During the reign of Victoria Queen, coins mintages are divided in four eras. 1840 to 1850 was continuous legend under East India Company. 1850 to 1860 was divided legend under East India Company. The direct rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent started on 1958 was the British Raj was lasted up to 1947. 1862 to 1876 was imperial coinage under crown administration. 1877 to 1901 was Victoria Empress while the British Parliament voted to grant Victoria Queen the additional title of Empress of India on 1876.

I observed a counterfeit Rupee of British India of 1902. I found Victoria Queen at obverse and ornamental wreath on Indian flower at reverse of that Rupee. Similar type of Rupee was also found of 1901. Dimension and weight of this Rupee almost same as the Rupee of 1840 with similar edge of the rupee of Queen Victoria at obverse and Victoria Empress at reverse.

It can be noted that last Rupee of Victoria Empress was minted on 1901 and no Rupee was minted on 1902 under British Raj. It was quite difficult to mark a coin as fake or real until have some clear evidences. Obverse of this 1902 Rupee matches perfectly with the Rupee of Queen Victoria of 1840 and reverse of this Rupee matches perfectly with the Rupee of Victoria Empress.