Large Rupee of Victoria Queen in 1840 with Low Weight

Alexandrina Victoria, widely recognized as Queen Victoria, ruled as the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her passing in 1901. Her reign, famously dubbed the Victorian era, was a transformative period characterized by significant advancements in industry, politics, science, and military power. This era also saw the British Empire reach unprecedented levels of expansion and influence.

During Queen Victoria's reign, coin mintages in India were classified into four distinct eras:

  1. Continuous Legend under the East India Company (1840–1850): Coins from this period featured a continuous legend, with the inscription "VICTORIA QUEEN" running uninterrupted across the obverse, over the Queen's head.
  2. Divided Legend under the East India Company (1850–1860): In this era, the inscription "VICTORIA QUEEN" on the obverse was split, separated by the Queen's head.
  3. Imperial Coinage under Crown Administration (1862–1876): Following the establishment of direct British rule in India (commonly referred to as the British Raj) in 1858, the coinage system underwent changes. Coins from this period featured continuous dating starting from 1874. Between 1862 and 1874, the dates were indicated using dots, with 1862-dated coins being reissued over multiple years.
  4. Victoria Empress (1877–1901): In 1876, the British Parliament granted Queen Victoria the title "Empress of India," marking the beginning of this era. Coins minted during this time bore the title "VICTORIA EMPRESS" on the obverse.

The British Raj, lasting from 1858 to 1947, governed regions collectively known as British India, which included territories directly administered by the Crown.

The obverse design of the Rupee coins distinctly differed between these two phases.

  • Continuous Legend (1840–1850): The inscription "VICTORIA QUEEN" was presented as a single uninterrupted line, appearing above the Queen's head like a normal sentence.
  • Divided Legend (1850–1860): In this period, the inscription was split into two parts, with the word "VICTORIA" placed on one side of the Queen's head and "QUEEN" on the other, creating a divided layout.

These design differences marked a significant evolution in the coinage style during Queen Victoria's reign under the East India Company's administration.

Rupee of 1840 of Continuous Legend having a diameter 30.5 to 32.2mm, weight around 11.6 to 11.68g with milled edge, thickness around 1.8mm and material is around 92% silver. Calcutta mint had a diameter around 30.5mm, Bombay mint had a diameter between 31.6mm and 31.8mm, and Madras mint had a diameter between 31.9mm and 32.2mm.

Obverse of the Rupee has the head of the Queen facing left; VICTORIA QUEEN all within a raised, toothed rim over Queen’s head. Reverse of the Rupee contain the value in English and Persian (ONE RUPEE and یک روپیے), all within a wreath of laurel; EAST INDIA COMPANY on top and 1840 at the bottom, all within a raised, toothed rim. But I found a rupee of Continuous Legend with 32.2mm diameter, thickness 1.8mm but weight 11.32g. Details shown in figure.


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