Thick and Thin '1' Varieties in 1936 One Anna of George V

By


George Frederick Ernest Albert, better known as King George V, reigned as the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and served as Emperor of India from May 6, 1910, until his passing in 1936. Born during the era of his grandmother Queen Victoria, he was the second son of Albert Edward, the then Prince of Wales.

The One Anna coin issued during the reign of King George V represents an important period in the numismatic history of British India. Minted between 1911 and 1936, these coins reflect both the evolution of British imperial design and the transition in India’s coinage system during the early twentieth century.

The obverse of the coin features the effigy of King George V, accompanied by the legend “GEORGE V KING EMPEROR.” This portrait, rendered with fine detail, symbolized British authority in India. The reverse typically displays the denomination “ONE ANNA” within a decorative floral or geometric border, along with the year of issue and the word “INDIA.”

Early issues (1911) carried the original portrait of George V, which was later modified to refine the king’s image. Variations in font style, numeral thickness, mint marks, and minor design elements, such as thick and thin numerals, or mint dots from Bombay and Calcutta, add depth to the study of these coins and make them particularly interesting for collectors and researchers.

Struck in cupro-nickel or nickel-brass alloys, depending on the year, the One Anna coin served as a mid-denomination currency in everyday trade. Over time, it became both a symbol of colonial administration and a reflection of India’s monetary artistry under British rule.

Today, the One Anna coins of King George V hold significant historical and numismatic value, offering insights into the craftsmanship, economy, and imperial legacy of early twentieth-century India.

The 1936 One Anna coins of King George V mark the final year of his reign and the last issue of the One Anna denomination bearing his portrait. These coins were struck at both the Bombay and Calcutta Mints, the two principal mints operating in British India during that period. Interestingly, a 1936 Bombay-minted One Anna coin was observed in two numeral variations, a thick and a thin ‘1’, which may represent previously unnoticed die differences.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Six Types One Rupee of King Edward VII in 1903

By
Image
King Edward VII ascended the throne on 1901 was the elder son of Queen Victoria. The Edward VII series of coins of India are dated from 1903 to1910. Coins of the King Edward VII are distinct in that the head is uncrowned. Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901 and Edward's coronation was not held till 9 August 1902. The master dies were created before the coronation; therefore, his coins were not shown wearing the crown. The Rupee of King Edward VII was minted in both Calcutta and Bombay . I found total six types of minted rupee in 1903. There was no mint mark for Calcutta in 1903, but the Bombay issues had a small incuse and raised "B" in 1903. Another Bombay issued had a more prominent mark, a "dot" on the stem of the lotus-bud (lower right on reverse). According to the book of D. Chakravarty , " Coins of India ", this was intentional. He said, "Since the 'dot' itself was found adequate to distinguish the products of the mint, and t...
Read more

Counterfeit Token

By
Image
Some token or trade coin between 1818 and 1839 found during the period of East India Company in India. Also, similar coin with date 1616 and 1717 found. Earlier an archaeologist ( Mr. Sanjib Singh ) from National Museum in Delhi said that East India Company did issue coins in India which were made of Corolina (Gold), Anglina (Silver), Cupproon (Copper) and Tinny (Tin). There was absolutely no reference of coins with Hindu Gods inscribed on them. Earlier a numismatist said that those types of coins with pictures of gods were made for the purpose of sale to foreign tourists. Whenever East India Company issued a coin, it had their logo. It can be noted that, East India Company did not issue coins with English wording till 1835 and prior coins were in Urdu/Persian . Furthermore, in 1616 East India Company had not set its foot in India, as a ruler. Also, it was well known that, a coin with a religious motif depicting Indian gods Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman on the reverse, was a “fant...
Read more

The Mystery of the 1840 William IV One Rupee: Numismatic Debate and Historical Context

By
Image
The reign of William IV (1830–1837) was brief but marked an important stage in the shaping of British India. Although he never set foot in the subcontinent, his rule coincided with the East India Company ’s efforts to strengthen political control and economic uniformity. A key development of this time was the minting of silver rupees featuring his portrait between 1835 and 1837. These coins symbolized the replacement of diverse regional currencies with a standardized system, reinforcing imperial authority. William IV’s legacy in India, though short-lived, provided a monetary framework that Queen Victoria ’s long reign would later expand upon. The One Rupee coin that is sometimes attributed to William IV and marked with the date 1840 is an object of both curiosity and debate in numismatic circles . To understand its background, it is important to look at the historical context. William IV reigned as King of the United Kingdom from 1830 until his death in 1837, and during this short ...
Read more