Rupee of George VI in 1942

Albert Frederick Arthur George was familiar as George VI during the British Raj. He was the King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 1936 to 1952. He was the last Emperor of British India from 1936 until the British Raj was dissolved in August 1947. He was also the first Head of the Commonwealth following the London Declaration of 1949.

During the period of George VI, One Rupee was minted in Calcutta, Bombay and Lahore with 91% silver and 50% silver and Nickel. Edge of these Rupees were initially reeded edge and later a security edge. Standard weight was from 11.33 to 11.66g. Diameter was 30.4mm to 30.7mm from 1938 to 1945 and 28mm on 1947. It was found from different sources that reeded edge was on 1938, 1939, 1942, 1944 and 1945; 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. When the composition switched to Nickel in 1946 a completely different reverse (an Indian tiger) was introduced.

On 1942, only Bombay mint Rupees were documented in different sources. Two varieties of Bombay mint were found with thick and thin font at both obverse and reverse with security edge. But I found a Rupee of 1942 with a weight of 11.45g. Also design of this Rupee was quite interesting at reverse; outline of rose, thistle and shamrock at the top were clearly visible (separated) and bottom flowers were also clearly visible. Also found another Rupee of 1942 with thin letter and weight was 11.65g, similar as standard weight. Though its letter was thin but other figures were same as regular Rupee with thick letter. Also found another difference between these thick and thin letter Rupees. At obverse side, there has letter N of KING just over the top of the crown. In regular thick letter Rupees, N has almost touched the top of the crown but there has visible space between N and top of the crown of thin letter Rupees. Diameter of all these Rupees were found around 30.5mm.

 









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