British Indian and Mughal Coins

George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 - 6 February 1952 ) became King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth on 11 December 1936 following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII . He also served as the last Emperor of India until the end of British rule in August 1947 , making his coinage historically significant as the final imperial issues struck for British India. During George VI's reign, the Half Rupee underwent several important changes in composition, design, and minting. The denomination was produced at the Calcutta, Bombay, and Lahore Mints . Earlier issues were struck in 0.917 fine silver , followed by 0.500 fine silver during the Second World War due to the increasing demand for precious metals. These silver issues featured a reeded edge , which was later replaced by a security edge on subsequent emissions. As with other British Indian coinage, Calcutta issues carried no mint mark , while Bombay Mint coins ca...

Following the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901 , her eldest son, King Edward VII , ascended the British throne, ushering in a new chapter in the coinage of British India . Indian coins bearing his portrait were struck from 1903 to 1910 . One of the most distinctive features of the Edward VII series is the uncrowned portrait of the King. Although he became monarch in 1901, his coronation did not take place until 9 August 1902 . As the master dies for the Indian coinage had already been prepared before the coronation ceremony, the portrait depicts Edward VII without the Imperial Crown , making this series unique among British Indian issues. The 1903 One Rupee is particularly significant for numismatists because it exhibits an exceptional range of mint and die varieties. Based on my study, at least five distinct varieties can be identified for this year alone. Rupees were struck at both the Calcutta and Bombay Mints. Calcutta issues bear no mint mark , whereas Bombay iss...

Following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, her eldest son, King Edward VII , ascended the British throne, marking the beginning of a new numismatic era across the British Empire. In India, silver one-rupee coins bearing his portrait were struck between 1903 and 1910, representing one of the most studied series of the British Indian coinage . Throughout this period, rupees were produced primarily at the Calcutta and Bombay Mints . Calcutta issues were struck without an explicit mint mark, whereas Bombay coins carried a minute incuse "B" beneath the reverse design. On the 1903 issue, a less common raised "B" variety is also known. The Bombay mint mark, however, is often difficult to discern due to its extremely small size. Fortunately, collectors have long relied on a more practical diagnostic feature, a tiny raised dot located on the stem of the lotus bud at the lower right of the reverse. As noted by D. Chakravarty in Coins of India , this dot served as a suffi...