Unusual Rupee of George V in 1915

George Frederick Ernest Albert, better known as King George V, reigned as King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother, Queen Victoria, he was the second son of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). His reign encompassed a period of major political and economic change, including the First World War and significant reforms in the administration of British India. The coinage issued under George V is regarded as one of the most extensively studied series of British Indian numismatics owing to its numerous mint varieties, die modifications, and transitional issues.

The Silver One Rupee remained the principal denomination of British India during the early years of George V's reign. It was struck from 1911 to 1922, with production shared between the Calcutta and Bombay Mints from 1911 to 1920, while only the Bombay Mint produced the denomination during 1921 and 1922. These coins were manufactured in silver with a reeded (milled) edge, an average weight of approximately 11.6 grams, and a diameter ranging from 30.5 to 30.8 mm. Mint identification followed the standard British Indian convention: Bombay Mint issues bear a raised dot beneath the lower floral ornament on the reverse, whereas Calcutta Mint coins carry no mint mark. The elegant floral reverse and finely engraved portrait of George V make this series one of the most recognisable in the British Indian coinage.

The specimen examined here differs markedly from the standard 1915 Silver Rupee. Rather than being struck in silver, the coin appears to have been produced on a copper planchet, while retaining the general design and fabric of the official issue. It measures approximately 30.8 mm in diameter and weighs 11.02 grams, dimensions closely comparable to the regular Rupee despite its different metallic composition. The reverse bears the Bombay Mint identifying dot beneath the lower floral ornament, indicating that the dies used were intended for the Bombay issue of 1915.

A particularly intriguing feature of this specimen is the unusual appearance of the date. The numerals of 1915 differ from those observed on regular Bombay and Calcutta Rupees of the year, suggesting the possibility of a double-struck date, die adjustment, or another form of die-related anomaly. The remainder of the legends and ornamental details correspond closely to the official design, indicating that the irregularity is confined primarily to the date area rather than representing a fundamentally different die.

The obverse also displays an unusual surface impression resembling a fingerprint or pressure mark. While this feature may simply be the result of post-strike handling, contamination of the die, or planchet preparation, it is also possible that it originated during the minting process. Such marks merit closer examination under magnification to determine whether they represent a mint-made characteristic or later environmental damage.

Based on its copper composition, the use of official Bombay Mint dies, and its close conformity to the standard dimensions of the 1915 Rupee, this specimen is a strong candidate for an Off-Metal Strike (OMS). Off-metal strikes occur when a coin is accidentally or experimentally struck on a planchet of an unintended metal and are among the most desirable mint errors in numismatics. The combination of a copper planchet, an irregular date punch, and the additional obverse surface anomaly makes this coin particularly significant. Subject to metallurgical analysis and detailed die comparison with regular silver issues, it may represent a previously undocumented mint product, providing valuable evidence for the study of British Indian minting practices during the reign of George V.