Unusual Four Annas of George V in 1920

George Frederick Ernest Albert, better 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. 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 witnessed significant political and economic developments across the British Empire, including major reforms to the Indian monetary system. Coins issued under George V remain among the most extensively collected British Indian series due to their diverse mint varieties, transitional designs, and occasional mint errors.

The Four Annas denomination was introduced during George V's reign and was struck between 1919 and 1921. These coins were manufactured in copper-nickel and produced at both the Calcutta and Bombay Mints. The denomination is easily recognised by its distinctive scalloped octagonal shape, plain edge, and official specifications of approximately 6.8 grams in weight and 24 mm in diameter. The obverse bears the left-facing crowned portrait of King George V surrounded by the English legend, while the reverse features the denomination enclosed within a square, with the value expressed in Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, and Devanagari. Mint identification follows the standard British Indian convention: Calcutta issues carry no mint mark, whereas Bombay coins display a raised dot beneath the Telugu inscription. Freshly struck examples exhibit a silvery appearance typical of copper-nickel alloys. As noted by Numista, certain production batches contain a relatively high proportion of ferrous impurities, making them susceptible to oxidation and causing some specimens to develop a characteristic rust-brown surface over time.

The specimen described here differs significantly from the standard issue in both colour and weight. Rather than exhibiting the usual silvery-grey appearance of copper-nickel, the coin possesses a distinct golden-yellow colour, closely resembling that of a nickel-brass alloy. The coin weighs 6.02 grams, approximately 0.8 grams lighter than the official standard, while maintaining the correct 24 mm diameter and an approximate thickness of 1.5 mm. The absence of a mint mark identifies it as a Calcutta Mint issue, and the overall design, legends, and fabric correspond closely with those of the regular 1920 Four Annas.

Although the specimen shows minor surface scratches and signs of circulation, these are insufficient to account for a reduction of nearly 0.8 grams in weight. The lettering, portrait, and ornamental details remain consistent with the standard dies, indicating that the anomaly is unlikely to be the result of post-mint alteration or extensive wear. Instead, the combination of an unusual golden colour and significantly reduced weight suggests that the coin may have been struck on a planchet of a different metallic composition.

One possible explanation is that the coin represents an Off-Metal Strike (OMS), struck accidentally or experimentally on a nickel-brass planchet rather than the intended copper-nickel blank. A brass-containing alloy would naturally exhibit a more golden appearance and, depending on its precise composition and planchet preparation, could also produce a lower overall weight than the standard copper-nickel issue. While this hypothesis requires confirmation through metallurgical analysis, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing, the observed physical characteristics are consistent with an off-metal striking rather than ordinary toning or environmental discoloration.

If authenticated, this 1920 Calcutta Mint Four Annas would represent a previously unrecorded off-metal strike within the George V series. Its unusual alloy colour, reduced weight, and otherwise standard die characteristics make it a particularly interesting specimen for collectors and researchers of British Indian coinage. Further metallurgical examination and comparison with documented examples could clarify its origin and potentially expand the catalogue of known mint errors and experimental strikes from the Calcutta Mint.