British Indian coins
Encyclopedia
The British East India Company
established its initial settlement in Surat
in 1612, and started minting coin
s from the mid 17th century. The early European style coins were not popular outside their jurisdiction, and in 1717 the British obtained the right to strike their own rupee
s in the name of the Mughal
emperor.
mughal style coinage introduction
, the ruling power over India was transferred from the British East India Company
to the British Crown. From 1862 till Indian independence in 1947, coins were stuck under the authority of the crown. Gaps in years indicate that coinage was not struck bearing those dates. Sometimes, coins were struck during subsequent years bearing a previous date, for example, coins bearing the year 1862.
change in silver content
wartime measures
Coins of the following denominations were issued as well:
There are many rare coins of this period which interests the coin collectors.
The 1939 Rupee is the most expensive rupee. Visit link to see new coins photographs and more on
Indian Coins-Numismatics Forum http://coinsindia.info
British India coinage http://www.bharatcoins.com/1.html and.
http://www.indian-coins.com, a webpage on coins of British India.Some blogs are also available like http://numismatology-abhas.blogspot.com/ on this topic
Krause and Mishler catalog series
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
established its initial settlement in Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
in 1612, and started minting coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
s from the mid 17th century. The early European style coins were not popular outside their jurisdiction, and in 1717 the British obtained the right to strike their own rupee
Rupee
The rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
s in the name of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
emperor.
Presidency issues
Presidency coin introduction (under construction)mughal style coinage introduction
Regal issues
After the Indian Rebellion of 1857Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
, the ruling power over India was transferred from the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
to the British Crown. From 1862 till Indian independence in 1947, coins were stuck under the authority of the crown. Gaps in years indicate that coinage was not struck bearing those dates. Sometimes, coins were struck during subsequent years bearing a previous date, for example, coins bearing the year 1862.
Edward VIII (-)
During the short reign of Edward VIII, no coins were issued in India bearing his portrait. Several coins bearing the portrait of Edward VIII are sometimes offered for sale on online auction sites, but these fantasy pieces are possibly modern productions and never under consideration for official issue.George VI (1938-1947)
1939 rupeechange in silver content
wartime measures
Coins of the following denominations were issued as well:
- 1/12 AnnaIndian annaAn Anna was a currency unit formerly used in India, equal to 1/16 rupee. It was subdivided into 4 Paise or 12 Pies . The term belonged to the Muslim monetary system...
- 1/2 Pice
- 1/4 Anna
- Pice
- 1/2 Anna
- Anna
- 2 Annas
- 1/4 Rupee
- 4 Annas
- 8 Annas
- 1/2 RupeeRupeeThe rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
- RupeeRupeeThe rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
- 5 Rupees (1/3 MohurMohurA Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments including British India , the Moghul Empire, Nepal, and Afghanistan. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until...
) - 10 Rupees (2/3 MohurMohurA Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments including British India , the Moghul Empire, Nepal, and Afghanistan. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until...
) - 15 Rupees (MohurMohurA Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments including British India , the Moghul Empire, Nepal, and Afghanistan. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until...
) - 30 Rupees (2 MohurMohurA Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments including British India , the Moghul Empire, Nepal, and Afghanistan. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until...
) - British Gold Sovereign, as an emergency war issue, in 1918.
There are many rare coins of this period which interests the coin collectors.
The 1939 Rupee is the most expensive rupee. Visit link to see new coins photographs and more on
Indian Coins-Numismatics Forum http://coinsindia.info
British India coinage http://www.bharatcoins.com/1.html and.
http://www.indian-coins.com, a webpage on coins of British India.Some blogs are also available like http://numismatology-abhas.blogspot.com/ on this topic
See also
- History of Rupee
- Indian coinageIndian coinageCoinage of India, issued by Imperial dynasties and smaller middle kingdoms of India began during the 1st millennium BC, and consisted mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. Scholars remain divided over the origins of Indian coinage...
- Modern Indian coinsModern Indian coinsThe pictures of the coins and paper currencies can be found at ,, India became independent on 15 August 1947 and was left with a legacy of non-decimal coinage. One rupee was divided into 16 annas or 64 pice, with each anna therefore equal to 4 pice. In 1957, India shifted to the decimal system, but...
- Indian rupeeIndian rupeeThe Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
Further Reading
Standard Guide to South Asian Coins and Paper MoneyKrause and Mishler catalog series