Edward VII
1909 Rupee (Obverse)
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The
Coins of British India
King Edward VII
(1903-1910)
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Edward VII
1909 Rupee (Reverse)
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All the coins showing
relative size. For more information on a coin, either scroll down
or click on a coin. |
Rupee
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1/2 Rupee
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1/4 Rupee
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2 Annas
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1 Anna
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1/4 Anna
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1/2 Pice
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1/12 Anna
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After Queen Victoria died in 1901, King Edward VII ascended
the throne. The Edward VII series of coins of India are dated
1903-1910. There are four silver coins (Rupee, 1/2 Rupee, 1/4
Rupee and 2 Annas) and three copper coins (1/4 Anna, 1/2 Pice
and 1/12 Anna). A cupro-nickel 1 Anna coin was introduced in
1906. That same year the copper coins were replace by bronze
issues with the same obverse and reverse designs but a thinner
plancet. The 1906 coins come in both varieties.
The King Edward VII coins are distinct in that the head is
uncrowned. The apparent explanation is, though Queen Victoria
died on 22 January 1901, Edward's coronation was not held till
9 August 1902. The master dies were created before the coronation,
so it was not possible to show him wearing the crown! It is
reported that a new portrait was prepared for 1910, but King
Edward's death that year prevented the issue of any coins. The
1 Anna introduced in 1906 does have a portrait of the King wearing
his crown.
It is said that collecting this series is much easier than
with the Victoria series, but that it is also more boring.
It is true that this series doesn't have variety in the obverse
and reverse designs, but there are still a few interesting
challenges for collectors. The regular reference books seem
less helpful than with Victoria in describing the few details
of special interest to collectors.
Click on photos below for a larger photo
in a popup window
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One Rupee (1903-1910)
Y-34 KM-508
The Rupee was minted in both Calcutta and Bombay. There is
no mint mark for Calcutta. The Bombay issues have a small
incuse "B" (the 1903 Rupee also has a raised "B"
variety). The incuse "B" mint mark can be impossible to
see, though, so it is fortunate there is a second, more prominent
mark, a "dot" on the stem of the lotus-bud (lower
right on reverse). According to D. Chakravarty in his book
"Coins of India" this was intentional. He says,
"Since the 'dot' itself was found adequate to distinguish
the products of the mint, and there was no need to have a
conspicuous mint-mark, as an incuse 'B', from 1906 onward
there was apparently an attempt to erase the 'B', but not
very successfully." Various traces of the 'B' may be
seen, but use the 'dot' on the lotus-bud stem to identify
the mint.
There is an interesting (and scarce) variety on the reverse
of some 1903-C Rupees. The normal configuration of five dots
is missing the lower dot. See the illustration below. The explanation
seems to be that the engraver was not familiar with Persian
script, so he made a mistake and left out one dot. This was
soon rectified, so this rare error exists only on the first
year of issue.
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1/2 Rupee (1905-1910)
Y-33 KM-507
The 1/2 Rupee was minted in both Calcutta and Bombay. A proof 1/2 Rupee
exists dated 1904, but the regular issues started in 1905. There is
no mint mark for Calcutta. The Bombay issues have a small incuse "B"
(the 1910 1/2 Rupee also has a raised "B" variety).
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incuse "B" mint mark
"dot" on lotus-bud stem
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1/4 Rupee (1903-1910)
Y-32 KM-506
The 1/4 Rupee was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants and
no mint marks.
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2 Annas (1905-1910)
Y-31 KM-505
The 2 Annas coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants
and no mint marks reported in the literature. However, below is a photo from William Naquin showing a dot on the lotus stem similar to the Bombay mint mark on the Rupee coin as shown above.
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Variant discovered by William E. Naquin. Detail of dot on lotus stem found
on some 1910 2 annas coins. |
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1 Anna (1906-1910)
Y-30 KM-504
The 1 Anna coin was minted only in Bombay. Very few coins were issued
in the first year (1906). After this copper-nickel coin was introduced
it apparently became very popular. It is normally found in worn condition.
The coins have an incuse "B" mint mark in the crown on the
obverse of the coin. It is the only coin in the Edward VII series
showing a crowned head. The scalloped edge of the coin has 12 crests,
which correspond to its value of 12 pies.
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1/4 Anna (1903-1910)
Y-29 KM-501/502
The 1/4 Anna coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants
and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper to
bronze (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc). This was probably due to the International
price of copper increasing. The new bronze coins were thinner (see illustration
below). Both versions of the coin were minted in 1906.
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Copper thick planchet on left
bronze thin planchet on right
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1/2 Pice (1903-1910)
Y-28 KM-499/500
The 1/2 Pice coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants
and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper
to bronze (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc). The new bronze coins were
thinner (see illustration below). Both versions of the coin were minted
in 1906.
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Copper thick planchet on left
bronze thin planchet on right
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1/12 Anna (1903-1910)
Y-27 KM-497/498
The 1/12 Anna coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants
and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper
to bronze (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc). The new bronze coins were
thinner (see illustration below). Both versions of the coin were minted
in 1906.
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Copper thick planchet on left
bronze thin planchet on right
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