East India Company, 1835-58

Uniform coinage

From the year 1806, when the Court of Directors expressed their desire to have one general
currency for all the East India Company’s possessions in India, a steady movement towards
this end was made. It was finally achieved in 1833 when the Bengal Presidency equalized
the several rupees in circulation, and introduced a standard corresponding to the rupees of
Bombay and Madras.

Two years later, by Act XVII, 1835, a uniform coinage was established for British India. The
unit adopted was a silver rupee, called COMPANY’S RUPEE, weighing 180 troy grains and
containing 1/1 ½ pure silver. The devices of the new coinage were essentially English.

It is interesting to note that this change was not entirely legal. The original aim of the
Directors in 1806 had been to achieve a uniform standard of value in the rupees issued by
the Presidencies. In later years the local government had urged the idea of a UNIFORM
RUPEE but this was not favourably received. The Directors considered a change to one
standard type of rupee would involve many serious risks, which they did not deem worth
taking for an inadequate benefits. By a dispatch dated 11th March 1829 their objections were
notified, and orders issued that no change in the coinage should be made without their
consent.

In 1833 an Act of Parliament regulated the Government of the British possessions in India
for a further twenty years. Greater powers were conferred upon the Governor-General in
Council, enabling laws to be passed in India which did not require the previous sanction of
Parliament. It did not, however, give countenance to any departure from the distinct
instructions of the Court of Directors. When the Governor-General in Council passed Act
XVII on the 17th August 1835, substituting the Company’s rupee for the various rupees then
in circulation, it was not sanctioned by the Directors and measure was, in effect, illegal.
The principal individual involved in the scheme for a uniform or Company’s rupee was
James Prinsep, then Assay Master of the Calcutta Mint and Secretary to the Mint
Committee. The success of the measure to carry out this major change, especially those for
adapting the existing copper currency to the new rupee, rests with him.

Designs

Act XVII, 1835, prescribed in general terms, that the design of the gold and silver coins
should be:

Obverse: The head and name of the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland.
Reverse: The value of the coin in English and Persian languages and the words EAST INDIA
COMPANY.
Choice of embellishments was left to the Governor-General in Council. It also ordered ‘that
the year of the die (1835) would represent the era of the alteration of the coins, and need not
be changed until a new coin shall be ordered to be struck’.

From 1835 until 1840, no change took place in the design or date on the gold and silver
coins struck throughout that period. The accession of Queen Victoria to the throne in 1837,
so soon after the changes in 1835, and the problems involved in the production of new dies
for the obverse design, led to the issue of Act XXXI, 1837. This act suspended those parts of
Act XVII, 1835, in so far as it referred to the issue of coins with the effigy of the reigning
sovereign. It was not until 1840/41 that the Indian mints were ready to effect the necessary
changes and on the 18th November 1840 a Proclamation announced the restoration of the
conditions of Act XVII, 1835.

A new series of gold and silver coins appeared bearing the head and title of Queen Victoria.
On all the silver denominations, except the TWO ANNAS, which was introduced in 1841 and
bears that date, the fixed date of 1840 was impressed. The gold (mohurs only) also have the
fixed date 1841.

This 1840/41 series was still being minted when the rule of the East India Company
terminated on the 1st November 1858. They continued to be issued in the same form until
1862, when the Imperial coinage commenced.

Calcutta Mint: Engraving Department

An important step taken in the preparations for the new coinage was the decision to confine
the manufacture of matrix dies to one center. This decision is contained in a letter dated
27th May 1835, from the Secretary to Government (Calcutta) to the Bombay Council:
‘9 In order to ensure perfect uniformity in the Devices of the new Gold and Silver coins the
Matrix Dies for the coinage of all the mints of the British Government in India shall be
furnished from Calcutta Mint.’

The Engraving Department of the Calcutta Mint retained the responsibility from 1835 until
the year 1913, when an Engraver was finally appointed to the Bombay Mint.

1833 Change in currency: preliminary measure

In 1833 the Assay Master of the Calcutta Mint, James Prinsep, prepared and submitted to
the Government a project for reforming the weights and measures of British India. This was
adopted. In November 1833, he addressed a minute to the Mint Committee concerning the
devices on the coins and recommended the appointment of a native engraver to the Mint, in
order that preparations could be made to reform the impression. Some doubt was raised
upon the capability of the person named; but approval was given for a test to be made of his
skill.

1834 Rupee and quarter anna patterns

April On the 6th April 1834, two patterns were handed to the Committee showing the
results of the experiment, one in silver for a rupee, the other a sketch for a copper quarter
anna. The dies and sketch for both patterns had been engraved by Kasinath Dass, Note
Engraver to the Treasury.From the description of the patterns in the accompanying report
they can be identified, and their inception and design attributed to Prinsep.
The Committee were satisfied as to the skill of the Engraver. Kasinath Dass was appointed
in the dual capacity of Head Die Cutter and Copper Plate Engraver on the 1st May 1834. He
was under the orders of the Accountant-General for Plates, and under the directions of the
Mint Master and Mint Committee for coining dies. His salary was fixed at 250 rupees per
month plus an additional of 50 rupees.
The Calcutta Council recorded their opinion of the proposed measure suggested in Prinsep’s
report on the 24th May. The design of the specimen rupee was highly approved and they
would ‘be well satisfied to substitute a Coin of the Description recommended, improved by
the enlargement of the dies so that the coin being thinner may be less liable to be drilled, in
place of the present Sa : Rupee bearing the distich of the deceased Shᾱh ᾿Ᾱlam.
They did, however, consider the Government would be restricted from the introduction of the
measure by the very positive instructions from the Court of Directors, contained in their
dispatch of the 11th March 1829. The matter would be referred to the Court. In the meantime
and in anticipation of positive orders, the Mint Committee should continue to make
preparations.
On the same day the Mint Master set Kasinath Dass to work preparing matrices and
punches for the proposed reform of the coinage.

Specimen rupee blanks

October Blanks prepared as specimens for the new rupee were submitted to the Committee
on the 24th October 1834. Prinsep explains the reason for the dimension selected: ‘the
dimensions were calculated from the relative size of the half dollar of America – and finding
the result closely approximate to 1.2 inch – it was thought convenient to make the diameter
at once exactly one tenth of a foot.’
This suggested size received approval, and orders were given that matrix dies for the new
coin should be prepared of that diameter.

Rupee patterns: Latin inscription

November A letter to the Committee from the Mint Master, R. Saunders, dated 17th November
1834, forwarded five specimens of a rupee bearing the proposed devices. Paragraph 2 and
3 gave the following information:
‘2nd. The pieces in question have been Struck at the Multiplying Press from the Matrix Die
executed by Cossinauth Doss, and without a Collar, which will account for the impression
not being quite centrical and for the Rim not being perfect. The diameter also for the same
reason exceeds the limit prescribed of 1.2 Inch or 10 pieces to the Foot….
3rd. The inscription round the King’s head, will be of course, subject to such alteration, as the
Government may direct, as the letters can easily be removed from the Punch Die, and
replaced on a new Matrix without much inconvenience or delay – the diameter of the Coin
will also allow of reduction, should it be thought expedient……
On the following day the specimens were forwarded to the Governor-General, Lord William
Cavendish Bentinck, G.C.B., soliciting his orders on the subject and a request to know
whether the same or any other inscription should be adopted.

The Governor_-General’s thought on the matter were communicated to the Committee on

28th November. He was prepared to change the device of the coins and confine the unit to a
rupee of 180 grains. He did not like the incongruity of a Latin inscription on one side and an
English one on the other, and wished to see designs of other devices.
This identifies the rupee patterns struck without a collar and inscribed in Latin,
proclaiming William IV King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and India.

1835 Sketches of proposed designs

January Engraving specimen dies is a lengthy process and the Engraver’s services were fully
occupied. To prevent delay, sketches for several designs were submitted for the Governor-
General’s approval on the 2nd January 1835. They included the head of the King with the
simple expression ‘William the Fourth King’ and ‘The finely sculptured lion of Flaxman’s large
medallic die reduced to the dimensions of the new Rupee’. An engraving of Prinsep’s
original pattern for the quarter anna was also sent.
The reply from the secretary to Government is dated the 12th January. It informed the
Committee that the Governor-General was disposed to give preference to Flaxman’s lion
device for the obverse of the new coin, and desired dies to be prepared accordingly. The
reverse design already proposed was satisfactory, and the size had been approved in the
previous October: Devices for the gold and copper coins were still under consideration.

Lion and effigy patterns

March Dies were completed in March. The Mint Master submitted specimens to the Mint
Committee on the 25th of the month, showing the lion device on the obverse and the wreath
and inscription already approved for the reverse. These had not been struck in a collar.
Also forwarded were specimens having the device of the King’s head with the same reverse
for comparison; one with the edge plain, the other with upright milling.

Lord Bentinck retired from office in March 1835, and was succeeded by Sir Charles
Metcalfe. The Mint Committee’s letter to the Governor-General and Council, submitting
these new specimens is dated 31st march and stated: ‘We have now the honor to submit
specimens of a Rupee bearing the Device of Flaxman’s Lion, selected by Lord W. Bentinck
as in his Ldp’s opinion the best adapted for the coins of British India… Mr. Saunders has
also at our request furnished specimens of the King’s –head rupee in order that your Honor
in Council may judge of the two together. One of the latter specimens has the straight milling
of the English coin, which we are inclined to prefer to prefer to the plain edge.’
Upon the merits of the two designs, the Committee express their views: ‘The Opinion we
formerly ventured to express in favour of the device of His Majesty’s head is by no means
lessened by the present comparison. An emblematical design however appropriate it may be
for the reverse of a handsome medal or medallic coin, such as we would make of the gold
mohur, seems to us by no means so well suited for the obverse of the current Coin as the
effigy of the reigning monarch; and in regard to the danger of forgery there can be no doubt
that a correct drawing of human head which all world is in the constant habit of observing so
as to tell at a glance, the slightest difference of feature, is both easier to recognize, and more
difficult to imitate that the contour of an animal seldom or ever seen by the majority of
mankind – This argument cannot better be illustrated than by the fact that the lion was
engraved in twenty six days – while the head occupied Kasinath upward of one month and
ten days.’

1835 Double mohur pattern

March With this letter and rupee specimen the Committee at para 5 added the following:
We beg leave to submit an impression in pure gold of the King’s head with the Lion as a
reverse – proposed as a double gold Mohur of 360 Grains (standard).’

Effigy pattern approved

April The rupee specimen, with His Majesty’s head on the obverse and the existing
reverse, was approved as the model for the future coinage of the rupee. This was notified to
the Mint Committee on the 8th April. On the 22nd of the same month further instructions were
issued. On that day it had been resolved ‘to inscribe on the reverse of the new silver coin,
the value in English and Persian only, and the year (1835) will represent the era of the
alteration of the Coin, and need not be changed until a new Coin shall be ordered to struck.
On the Face of the Piece, with His Majesty’s Head it will be sufficient to stamp the name of
the Sovereign “William IIII” without the word King.’
The Mint Committee were requested to furnish specimens of the new coin at their earliest
convenience.
Copper coins: proposals

These instructions had dealt with the silver coin. It was now essential to determine the
choice of a design for the copper coin, and institute a reform in its circulation. On the
1st October 1833 James Prinsep had proposed a modification of the Bombay copper coin as
a suitable device for the Bengal copper currency, and on the 6th April 1834 submitted a
design for the quarter anna or pice. This was prepared on the principle that the retention of
the Honourable Company’s Armorial bearings would be an advantage in preventing copper
coin from being whitened or gilded over to pass off upon the unwary as a silver or gold coin.
On the 2nd January 1835 the subject of the copper currency was again raised by the Mint
Master, who drew attention to the fact that he had in store matrices of the Company’s Arms
engraved at the Calcutta Mint for the Bombay Presidency copper coins in 1833, and to the
proposed design for the Bengal coins submitted by Prinsep in 1834. No immediate reply was
received from the Government, so on the 23rd April 1835 the Calcutta Mint Committee
returned to the matter and made their proposals:

‘For the reverse we have proposed a single wreath and denomination of the Coin in English
and in the Native Languages, in lieu of the Balance with the word Adal of Bombay, or the “ek
fuloos panj Kos ust” of Madras as being the more elegant and consistent with the general
appearance of the new Silver Coinage.’

Obverse inscription

March It seems evident that decision to omit the word ‘King’ from the obverse inscription on
the silver coin upset Prinsep. He addressed the Mint Committee on the 5th May:
‘There is great difficulty in arranging the letters of WILLIAM, IIII so as to look well on the face
of the New rupee die – I beg to submit 12 Specimens (sketches) in order that you may judge
which shall be the most neat and appropriate and whether it will be necessary to submit
them to Government for selection.” The Committee deemed it best to submit the sketches to
Government and did so on the 7th May. They were returned on the 13th with the information
that ‘the Selection of the Governor-General in Council has fallen upon the specimen with the
inscription “William IIII King” marked A, as none others without the word King are approved –
the above Legend is accordingly to be adopted for the obverse of the new coin.’ Two further
decisions were announced a little later. A letter to the Bombay Council dated 27th May 1835,
informed them that ‘In order to ensure perfect uniformity in the Devices of the new Gold and
Silver coins the Matrix Dies for the coinage of all the mints of the British Government in India
shall be furnished from the Calcutta Mint.’ On the 29th June 1835, the Mint Master was
informed that the Government had finally approved the upright milling for die edge of the
coins.

Copper coins: new designs

July On the 1st July the Government resolved that no more copper coins were to be struck
in the name of Shᾱh ᾿Ᾱlam, and that an English device was to be adopted. The Mint
Committee were requested to forward specimens with such a device.
Minting of the several denomination of the old copper currency ceased in the Calcutta mint
as follows:
_______________________________________________________________________

Double pice or half anna January 1835

pice or quarter anna September 1835

pie pieces or one-twelfth anna May 1835

______________________________________________________________________

Between the 29th June and 17th August a further pattern for the approved rupee design was
proposed. The obverse conforms to the device selected. The reverse shows the value in
English in the center of the wreath with a lotus above and the year 1835 below, and is similar
to the earlier patterns. Outside the wreath, below the tie of the branches, the value is now
given in the Persian language only. This was the final pattern.
The eventual design for the currency issue was similar except for the omission of the lotus
flower, and an interchange in the positions of the date and value inscription in Persian. Proof
specimens occur which must have been approval in July or early August 1835.

Act XVII, 1835, changing the currency

August The change in the coinage was authorized by Act XVII, dated 17th August 1835.

1835 Proclamation announcing details

Sept A Proclamation, dated 2nd September, announced details of the silver coins to be
issued from the mints of India from and after the 1st September 1835. Four denominations
were described: double rupee, rupee, half and quarter rupee. No double rupee was ever
issued.

Gold coin design

Oct With their submission to the Government on 31st March, the mint Committee had
enclosed a specimen in gold with the lion reverse, which they suggested would be a suitable
design for the double mohur. No reply had been given and the matter rested until after the
commencement of the silver coinage.
Under the terms of Act XVII, gold coin was not a legal tender. Gold to be allowed to find its
own level of value. The Act however provided that the coins should be:

Thirty rupee piece or double mohur

Fifteen rupee piece or single mohur

Ten rupee piece or two-third mohur

Five rupee piece or one-third mohur

__________________________________________
Since the number of rupees to be given for a gold coin would not necessarily be the same as
that stamped on the coin, this raised an interesting problem. On the 24th October the Mint
Committee submitted another gold pattern for approval. It was struck from the matrix dies
and simply stated in English and Persian that that it was ‘Two Mohurs’. The Committee’s
views were:
‘3rd The Matrixes of the Single Gold Mohur have not yet been put in hand owing to the great
press of work with the chief Engraver – They will however necessarily be mere reductions
from the larger specimen, as well likewise be those of the ten rupee and five rupee pieces.
4th With regard to the latter coins however the Committee direct me to request you to
ascertain whether since gold is not to be a legal tender of any fixed amount, His Honor in
Council would desire the omission of any direct reference to the Silver unit of value upon the
Gold Coins, substituting the expressions “two-thirds”, and “One third” of a Gold Mohur in
English and Persian, in lieu of the more simple designation of “Ten-rupees” & “Five Rupees”.
5th There appears to be some difficulty in rendering these expression into Persian, and the
Committee are inclined to prefer the Hindustani term “Tihai” to the Arabic “Suls” as being
more generally intelligible to the people at large – There is no expression upon any other of
the New Coins which is not common to the vernacular Hindustani, and to the Persian
language.’

The reply is dated 28th October. The Governor-General in Council considered that the
representation of any animal on the gold coin had been better be avoided. In lieu, therefore,
the Committee were desired to prepare a device for each gold coin ordered, containing on
the reverse the name of it in English and Persian within an ornamental wreath or other
embellishments easily distinguishable from the rupee. Regarding values, the ten- and five-
rupee pieces were so specified in the Act XVII, and if the designation of the coin was to be
borne on the reverse, it would be necessary that the name should correspond with that used
in the law under which it was coined.
In November (the 25th ) the Governor-General in Council, to avoid further delay in the
preparation of new dies for the gold coinage, waived his objections to the representation of
an animal, and ordered that the device of a lion according to the design of Flaxman be
adopted. With this instruction dies for the double mohur and mohur were prepared, and
minting of gold had commenced by the end of the year. Gold coins of the new design were
issued from the 1st January 1836. During the period 1st September to 31st December 1835,
and while the question of the design was being resolved, native merchants were still allowed
to continue the delivery of gold to the mint for coining into the old standard mohur.

Quarter rupee: value inscription changed

To this study of the values impressed on the coins undertaken by the Committee in October,
it is possible to attribute the change in the native inscription to the quarter rupee. The first
issues from the mint in September had their value expressed in Hindustani, but before end
of the year this changed to a Persian form.

Quarter anna patterns

Also in October 1835 the Mint Committee caused specimens to be prepared for a copper
quarter anna. For the obverse the old design of the Company’s Arms engraved by Kasinath
Dass for the Bombay coinage in 1833 was used, with a new reverse conforming to the
Committee proposals of 23rd April. This was approved and by Act XXI, passed on
7th December 1835, a new copper coinage was authorized. The new coins were the same in
denomination and weight as those previously established for Bengal in 1831.
The initial coinage of copper at the Calcutta mint in December 1835, consisted of the quarter
anna denomination. The other values were added some years later.
1836 Rupee and half rupee: Bombay patterns

January Rivalry existed between the Bombay and Calcutta mints. The Bombay Mint
required matrix dies and puncheons and since the supply had to come from Calcutta, they
were dependent upon the state of work at that Mint. Consequently delay occurred.
Bombay received matrix dies for the rupee at the end of 1835 and were required to multiply
their own puncheons from it. This was done, and it was found that owing to the spreading of
the die and loss of depth due to double multiplication, the guarding rim was reduced almost
to nothing. There were other defects which the Bombay Mint authorities objected to, and
they attempted to remove their dependence upon Calcutta for their dies.

They had on their staff a native of Cutch who displayed some talent for engraving. This man
engraved dies for a rupee and matrix dies for a half rupee. Specimens were submitted to the
Bombay Mint Committee on 24th December 1836, with the recommendation that the dies be
used for the ensuing silver coinage. If this met with approval, orders would be given for the
engraver to prepare dies for the quarter rupee.
In the case of the rupee, there was very little difference between it and the Calcutta issue.
The half rupee design was copied from a Calcutta issue half rupee, and again the
appearance was much the same. On the rupee the engraver placed his initials on the
truncation of the neck – MD, but the half rupee is plain.

The Bombay Government dealt with the matter on the 19th January 1937. In view of the
Supreme Government’s order that all matrix dies for the coinage must be prepared at
Calcutta, they would not sanction the request of their Mint Committee, but they too
concurred in thinking it desirable to depend as little as possible upon the services of the
Calcutta Mint. Submission would have to be made to the Supreme Government, but in the
meantime they gave authority for the engraver to prepare in readiness a matrix die for the
quarter rupee.
While this was under consideration, Calcutta despatched to Bombay matrix dies for the half
and quarter rupee on the 16th January 1837. When the Bombay request to use their own die
was received, the reply on 1st February refused permission, with the intimation that for many
reasons it was preferable for the coinage of Bombay to be struck from dies sent from
Calcutta.
Patterns exist for the rupee and half rupee. No quarter rupee is recorded and, with the arrival
of the necessary matrix die, the orders for the engraver to prepare dies for a quarter rupee
must have been rescinded.

Silver two annas, or one-eight rupee, authorized

October At the end of the year 1835, the Calcutta Mint was striking six coins of the new
design – two gold, three silver and one copper. The court of Directors appear to have
accepted the change in the coinage without undue comment. In a dispatch, dated
26th October 1836, they ordered that copper money should cease to be a legal tender for
sums exceeding half a rupee at the earliest opportunity. Before this was done it was considered
necessary to supply and distribute a sufficient quantity of silver half and quarter rupees, and that a
smaller silver coin was required.
‘We therefore direct that a Silver coin be fabricated weighing 22-1/4 Troy Grains and of the value of 2
Annas or 1/8 of a Company Rupee and that it be put into circulation without delay.’ On the 19th April
1837 the following Resolution of the Government concerning these measures was notified to the Mint
Committee. ‘The Governor General in Council will be prepared to give effect to the instructions of the
Court as expressed in the paragraph as soon as the relative condition of the Copper and Silver
circulation in Bengal will allow.’
The Mint Master estimated that the cost of coining silver two annas would be approximately three
times greater than the issue of an equal weight in the form of rupees. He also recorded the fact that
the demand for half and quarter rupees was exceedingly limited. The most demand was for the rupee
and pice. Nevertheless, in 1833 Act XXI was issued, authorizing the ‘coinage and issuing of any silver
coins of a value represented in even annas or sixteenths of the Company’s rupee’ of the same
standard as the higher denominations. This Act must have been issued to appease the Court of
Directors. No two-annas coin was struck in 1838. It was not until 1840, when the following receipt of
further order from London in July, that action was taken to commence preparations for the necessary
dies. Impressions were approved in February 1841. On the 3rd July 1841 specimens were sent to the
Mint Committee who authorized coinage to commence. Original impressions of two annas would
seem to have been struck with a grained edge. On the 17th May 1842, the Madras Mint Master
recommended that the edge of the coin should be plain. The Calcutta Mint Master was of the same
opinion and, on the 3rd August 1842, the Council approved the measure. Instructions to this effect
were given to the several mints. Thus, any two annas coin struck either as specimens or currency
issues at the mints prior to August 1842 may occur with grained edges.

1837 William IV coins to continue

The accession of Queen Victoria on 20th June 1937, so soon after the change in the coinage, and the
problems involved in the production of new dies for the obverse design, led to the publication of Act
XXXI, 1937. This suspended those parts of Act XVII, 1835, in so far as it referred to the issue of coins
with the effigy of the reigning British Sovereign. Coins bearing the effigy of William IV and date 1835
continued to be minted at the mints of Calcutta and Bombay.

1838 Victoria: new obverse designs requested

In 1838 new English coins bearing the head of Queen Victoria reached India. On the 28th November
1838 the Government sent specimens to the Mint Committee, with an order that dies should ‘be
prepared with the head of the reigning Queen and when ready specimens from the dies were to be
submitted for the approbation of the Government.
No patterns are known to have been prepared specifically to these instructions, as a matrix die was
received from England early in the new year. If any preparatory work was done it was probably
completed in 1839, and appeared in the form of the metallic impressions mention below.

1839 Victoria: English obverse matrix

January A letter from the Court of Directors, dated London, 4th January 1839, forwarded for the use
of the Calcutta Mint a matrix die for the obverse of the rupee. They thought it only necessary to
provide the die with the head of the Queen, concluding that the artists of the Mint were
competent to execute the reverse. The letter ends: ‘The Die now furnished has been
completed under the inspection of Mr Boulton of Birmingham & the likeness and execution
was satisfactory. We shall furnish Dies for the smaller coin at an early opportunity.’
The ‘English’ die, which seems to have been copied by the Birmingham engraver from the
new English half crown, as there is a close similarity, created problems. It had been
prepared without a sufficient allowance for the increase in size incident to the process of die
multiplication. To correct this fault the Mint Engraver was ordered to engrave one as
precisely similar as possible, but so reduced in diameter to permit the coins to conform to
that prescribed in the Coinage Act.

METALLIC IMPRESSION of this die were shown to the Mint Committee, who agreed that,
while creditable to the engraver as a self-taught artist, the general effect was not so good as
that produced by the die forwarded by the Court of Directors. Other measures had to be
taken. A puncheon was made from the English die and the letters removed. Another die was
produced, smaller letters inserted and the beaded rim added. The final result was a coin
having a diameter larger than laid down, but as the Mint Master’s technical report of
December 1839 points out, had the large lettered English die been used, the essential
guarding rim would have been omitted.
A series of three uniface pewter pieces corresponding to the rupee, half and quarter sizes,
showing the head of Queen Victoria and the inscription VICTORIA QUEEN appear to be
specimens of the metallic impressions shown to the Committee. The engraving style is
characteristic of the work of Kasinath Das and no other head of this description occurs in the
series. It would seem that a model was prepared for the rupee obverse and reductions made
from it for half- and quarter-rupee impressions.

Bombay pattern rupee

January The long delay at Calcutta in the production of dies bearing the effigy of Queen
Victoria, seems again to have influenced the Bombay Mint authorities in an attempt to break
their dependence upon that source.
In February 1839 a pattern for a rupee bearing Queen Victoria’s effigy was completed by a
native engraver. As previously, the Bombay Government submitted specimens to Calcutta
and once more the Supreme Government rejected the design. The letter of rejection was
dated 27th February 1839. The patterns are quite distinctive and dated 1839.
The name of the Bombay engraver is not disclosed in the correspondence but in 1838 a
Jewram Shamji, who was borne on the establishment as a die cutter, was employed as an
engraver.

One-twelfth anna, or pie, design approved

April The Madras Mint, temporarily closed down in 1835, was responded for coinage in
1837. The first coin struck was the copper quarter anna, to be followed in April 1838 by the
half anna. In 1939, the Mint Master at Madras requested matrix dies for the one-twelfth anna
or pie.
His request was dated 11th March 1839. No coin of the pie, or one-twelfth anna
denomination, authorized by Act XXI, 1835, had been struck at the Calcutta Mint, and
approval of the Government was required.
A design was submitted and received approval on the 3rd April 1839. Matrix dies were
forwarded to Madras on the 14th June following.

1840 Experimental coinage of rupees

May Progress in the preparation of the new Victorian dies was slow. On the 7th May 1840,
the Mint Committee desired to be informed when the work would be completed. At a meeting
held on 16th May they ordered an experimental coinage to be made of the rupee, and were
shown a die for a half rupee reduced from the larger coin. A similar quarter rupee die was in
the course of preparation.
Also shown at the meeting was quarter-rupee die, representing Her Majesty’s effigy copied
from a recent British coin in a very creditable manner by Hurry Mohun Roy, a young die
engraver employed in the Mint. No specimen from this die has been traced to date.

On the 26th May the Mint Master informed the Committee that rupee dies would be ready for
experimental coinage. On the obverse was effigy of the Queen prepared from the modified
matrix die forwarded by the Directors, and in the reverse a device similar, except for the
date, to that on the William IV rupees, but engraver anew by the Mint Engraver. New reverse
dies for the half- and quarter-rupee obverse dies were not to be prepared in England.
For the gold coinage the rupee die could answer for the double mohur, and the half-rupee
die, with the addition of the date below the head, would serve for the mohur. The report
ended by stating that if the new rupee piece was approved, the issue of new coinage could
probably commence about the 15th July.
No details have been traced of the result of the experimental rupee coinage. It took place in
June and was evidently successful.

1840 Silver two annas: dies for

July A court of Directors dispatch, dated 29th July 1840, states they were anxiously
awaiting a report on the progress made in the coinage and circulation of the silver two annas
pieces, authorized under Act XXI, 1838. If a report had not been forwarded before receipt of
this dispatch, one was to be prepared immediately.
‘We also direct that every facility be offered by the Officers of the Calcutta Mint in furnishing
Dies for the fabrication of Similar Coins in the Madras and Bombay Mint.’

Working dies for the two annas were eventually completed in 1842, but the date on the coins
is 1841. Bombay and Madras were the first Mints to strike the two annas, both having
received their dies in March 1842. Except for the initial specimens the Calcutta Mint did not
commence their minting in earnest until the financial year 1844/45.

November New coins proclaimed current

Stocks of the new rupee coins were accumulated and on the 18th November 1840, a
Proclamation announced the restoration of the conditions Act XVII, 1835. This notified that
from and after 11th day of November 1840, in respect of the Calcutta Mint, and from and after
the 1st day of April 1841, for Madras and Bombay Mints, the obverse of the coins would bear
the effigy of Queen Victoria.

1841 New gold coins: mohurs announced

The Mint Master’s suggestion that the half rupee obverse die, with the addition of the date,
would serve for the gold mohur was accepted. Dies for the mohur were ordered to be
dispatched to the Madras and Bombay Mints on the 13th January 1841.
A proclamation, dated 10th February 1841, announced that the gold coins issued at the mints
of the different Presidency would, in conformity with Act XVII, 1835, bear the effigy of Her
Majesty Queen Victoria.
The only gold coin struck throughout the remaining period that East India Company was in
control was the mohur. No double two-third or one-third values were issued, although
patterns occur of later date.

1842 Half- and quarter-rupee designs approved

Specimens of the half rupee were submitted for the approval of Government on the
25th February 1842. This was granted on the 15th March.

Quarter-rupee specimens were submitted on the 29th April, and received approval on the
25th May, when the Government authorized their coinage at all three mints.

1844 Copper coinage made uniform

The provisions of Act XXI, 1835, relating to copper coinage, was restricted to the Bengal
Presidency, and from December 1835 the only copper denomination struck at the Calcutta
Mint was the quarter anna. When the Madras Mint reopened for coinage in July 1837, it too
commenced operations by striking the new design quarter anna, in April 1838 the half anna,
and June 1839 the one-twelfth anna. Throughout this period the Bombay Mint struck coins of
the same three denominations and weight, but of the ‘Scales’ design authorizes by the
Bombay Proclamation, 29th November 1830.
In December 1843, Bombay requested Calcutta to supply dies for the new design. This must
have drawn attention to the differences in the copper coins of the two Presidencies. Copper
coinage was finally regulated by Act XXII, 1844, when the three denominations issued from
any mint within the territories of the E.I.C. was restricted to one uniform type. Dies for the
new coins were forwarded to Bombay on the 2nd March 1844. Coinage of the half anna
commenced during the year 1844/45, but the quarter anna and one-twelfth anna or pie were
not struck until the year 1846/47.

On 12th August 1847, twelve specimens of each denomination were forwarded for the
inspection of the Calcutta Mint Officers.

1845 Half anna struck at Calcutta Mint

Consequent upon the withdrawal of trisūli pice in the Upper Provinces of the Bengal
Presidency, sanctioned by Act XIII, 1844, there was an enormous demand for copper coin.
Throughout the period December 1835 to December 1844, the only copper denomination
struck and issued from the Calcutta Mint was the quarter anna. On the 24th December 1844,
the Mint Master requested permission to coin the half ana.
Permission was granted, on the 27th January 1845, for an experimental coinage of 5,000
rupees’ worth (160,000).
Mint Returns show-large quantities of half anna struck in the Calcutta Mint from 1845
onwards, and the coins bear that fixed year date (1845).

New obverse rupee dies

Constant use in the preparation of puncheons for the multiplication of dies for all the Indian
mints eventually resulted in the Victorian matrix obverse rupee die becoming so worn that it
could only yield very imperfect impressions.

The Mint Master reported this to the Mint Committee on 5th June 1845, and stated that in
anticipation of the die becoming thus worn, he had some eighteen months previously
directed the engraver, Kasinath Dass, to prepare a new matrix. The new die was forwarded
with the report ‘for the consideration of the Committee, who I believe will concur in the
opinion that it is much inferior in almost all respects to the Victoria Rupee Die sent out by the
Hon’ble the Board of Directors’.
The Mint Master urged the desirability for the appointment of a competent European-trained
engraver to the Mint staff, but the Committee did not consider this measure necessary. They
held the opinion that the object could be attained by having dies manufactured in England.
Any application the Mint Master wished to make for new dies would be communicated to
Government, in order that the attention of the Directors could be drawn to the requisition.

This report furnishes the explanation for the difference in the head types found on the rupee
of the first Victorian issue. The fuller face, or ‘English’ head type was prepared by a
Birmingham engraver, and the ‘Indian’ head type by Kasinath Dass, Chief Engraver,
Calcutta Mint.

About this period modification was made to the matrix dies for the smaller denominations.
Some redesigning appears to have taken place and distinct varieties occurs.
1846 Preparation of dies in England proposed

For some time the Bombay Mint had been requesting matrix dies for the two-third and one-
third mohurs. Not having received them, the matter passed to Government level. On the
21st October 1845, information as to the position was requested from the Calcutta Mint
Committee. The Mint Master informed the Committee on the 29th that the reverse for the two-
third mohur matrix die would be ready in about a month, and the one-third in about two
months. Under these circumstances it was not likely that dies could be dispatched to
Bombay before January 1846. He also suggested that the Committee might deem it
advisable to have dies for the gold coins (only the mohur had been struck with the Queen’s
effigy) prepared by Mr. Wyon, the Die Engraver of the London Mint:
‘a measure that would insure their being of the very best description – therefore
incomparably better than any that can be imitatively executed here by the Native Engraver
here employed.’

No further action seems to have been taken until 30th May 1846, when the Mint Committee
asked to be informed what course he proposed adopting concerning dies. They also asked
for his views for the improvement of the coinage in general.
The Mint Master requested a set of matrix die for gold and silver be obtained from Mr. Wyon,
and that a qualified die engraver be permanently attached to the Calcutta Mint.
Accompanying this request, which bears the date 23rd October 1846, were copperplate
engravings of gold and silver coins drawn to an exact scale and with diameter precisely in
accordance with the Coinage Act, 1835. This was referred to the Court of Directors by the
Government.

1847 Matrix dies ordered from W. Wyon

The Court of Directors considered the suggestions made in 1846. Their Dispatch No.II,
dated 1st January 1847, furnished the following information.
‘3 We consider that it is most desirable to possess a coinage worthy of British India, and that
perfection of execution is the surest guard against the introduction of a spurious coinage –
We have therefore acceded to your application for a supply of Dies, and requested Mr. Wyon
to furnish them at his earliest convenience.

To a recommendation made for an alteration in the design for the one-third and two-third
mohur – the terms ‘one third’ and ‘two third’ in English and Persian would be omitted and the
words five rupees and ten rupees in English and Persian would be suggested.
The request for a die engraver was not acceded to.

1849 Victoria: Type II effigy

The first matrices and dies prepared by William Wyon were dispatched to India, 19th October
1849. They were for the full range of the silver denominations: rupee, half, quarter and two
annas. A case of specimens struck in silver was enclosed.
Calcutta received the shipment in December, and preparations commenced in January
1850. When the dies were completed it was found that the convexity on the reverse to the
corresponding cavities of the obverse did not relate. The obverse could not be fully raised in
the coinage presses. To correct this defect a new reverse, copied from Wyon’s die, was
engraved in the Calcutta Mint and completed in May 1850.

The new coins were first minted at Calcutta in July 1850. Matrices and punches for Madras
and Bombay were then put in hand and dispatched as follows:
Bombay Mint
Rupee 11th February 1851
Half and quarter rupee 3rd July 1851
Two annas 7th August 1851

Madras Mint
Rupee 17th June 1851
Half and quarter rupee 3rd July 1851
Two annas 7th August 1851

An interesting feature in half rupee denomination is the error made by the Calcutta engraver
when copying Wyon’s reverse design. The value in Persian, instead of
reading ᾱnᾱ reads ata (See Catalog no. PR# 80). This misspelling was not observed by any
of the several Mint Masters at the time, not apparently in subsequent years.
Proof specimens from Wyon’s original dies bear the date 1849.

1853 Half pice authorized

In the year 1848 the Court of Directors became concerned at the constant heavy issues of
copper coins. They came to the conclusion that because of an apparent high profit,
encouragement was being given to the circulation of copper money. A dispatch of 16th May
expressed this concern, and that from every point of view such a policy was unsound. They
desired that an endeavor should be made to supercede as much of the copper money as
possible, by substituting silver coins as fractional parts of a rupee.
The Government of India submitted a lengthy report to this comment, and included reference
to the cowrie shell still being used for minor purchases by the masses of the population in
Bengal. Following a study of the report the Directors came to the conclusion that a still lower
denomination of copper coin was required, and suggested the introduction of a half pice or
one-and-a-half pie.

Full consideration was given to the suggestion. The Mint Committee and Revenue Collectors
reported in favour, and on the 13th April 1853 a Director’s dispatch included the following:
‘We authorize you at once to commence an issue of this Coin – The device on it should be
similar to those engraved on the Pyce piece, with the necessary alteration involved in
specifying its fractional denomination.’ The Government endorsement on the copy forwarded
to the Mint is: ‘Ordered that the Mint Master be requested to commence the Coinage of Half
Pyce Pieces as soon as practicable, and that the Sub Treasure be informed of the same.’

Minting commenced in 1853 and the coin bears that one date. Only the Calcutta Mint struck
this denomination of the copper coinage. Its circulation was exclusive to the Bengal
Presidency. Legal circulation was given to this new coin by Act XI, 1854, which laid down
that:

‘A half pice shall weight fifty grains troy, and shall be legal tender in any part of the said
territories for 1/28th part of the Company’s rupee, but shall not be legal tender, except for
fractions of a rupee.’
The design follows the remaining copper denominations, viz:

Obverse: East India Company arms.

Reverse: Value within a wreath, etc.
1854 Gold coins: dies and proofs

At the end of the year 1853 the matrices, punches and dies for the Indian gold coins, notified
as having been ordered from William Wyon on 1st January 1847, were completed and
dispatched in India.
A list of the contents of the consignment bears the date 8th December 1853, and includes ‘ A
case containing 4 Proof of the Coinage struck in fine silver’. The letter notifying the shipment
of the box to India is dated 15th December, and also mentions the inclusion of specimens
struck in gold.
Specimen coins, in gold and silver, bearing the date 1854 are recorded. Both apparently
struck in England, for no contemporary record has been traced to show that the dies were
used in India by the E.I.C.(Modern impressions have been noted of the TWO MOHURS and
ONE MOHUR and were struck at the Indian Government Mint, Bombay, during the ‘restrike
specimen’ period, c. 1955-70). The gold mohur coinage continued from the existing dies.

An interesting point connected with these 1854 proofs is that none bear the usual WW
initials on the truncation of the neck. The silver proof of 1849 do so. The inventory of the
several matrices, dies and punches was signed by L. C. Wyon.

William Wyon was attacked by paralysis on 27th September 1851 while staying at Brighton,
and he died there on the 29th October.
In winding up his estate it seems probable that Leonard Charles Wyon completed the
unfinished work of his father, and for that reason it was unsigned. From a study of these
patterns it seems most probable that the reverse showing the lion was engraved by W.
Wyon, and the obverse with the Queen’s effigy was the work of L. C. Wyon.

1857 Gold coins: dies

In April 1855, the Bombay Mint had again asked to be supplied with dies for the single, two-
third and one-third mohur, and orders had been given for their preparation and dispatch.
Somehow this requisition and order had been lost sight of, and with no dies materializing
Bombay made further enquiries in March 1857. At that date the officer in charge of the
Calcutta Mint was Major J. H. Bell, officiating Mint Master. His reply informed the
Government that matrices for the mohur were then in the hands of the engraver, but would
not be completed for some two or three months. To satisfy the Bombay demands would take
about three years, and could only be accomplished if there was no accident or urgent
demand obliging the engraver to attend to other work. Nothing further has been traced
concerning gold coinage. The mint returns only show coinage of gold mohurs at the Calcutta
Mint for the remaining period.

Double rupee

Due to great pressure upon the Calcutta Mint in 1857, methods were sought to ease the
burden, but at the same time to increase the money supply. One suggestion was to issue a
double rupee. This denomination had been provided for in Act XVII, 1835, but it had never
been struck. The officiating Mint Master, J. H. Bell, stated his view on the 3rd July 1857. A
saving of 35 per cent would be made in the laminating department and other savings would
be made in the cuttery, annealing and milling departments. A day’s work would produce
175,000 double rupee equal to 350,000 single rupees, instead of the 260,000 rupees
normally produced. This saving would make available more power for the coinage of copper,
then in great demand. No action was taken. The double rupee never become a
denomination of the circulation in India.
1857-62 English-minted copper annas

The enormous demand for rupees and copper pice, brought about by the troubled state of
India in 1857/58 and subsequent financial measures, resulted in the need to expand the
capacity of the Indian mints. To cope with the vastly increased requirement for copper coin a
new mint, entitled the COPPER MINT, was erected at Calcutta to the north of the existing
Mint. In the meantime, and until the copper Mint commenced production (April 1865),
assistance was sought from English mints. The inability of the Royal Mint, London, to
undertake the Indian requirement resulted in contract coinages for quarter annas being
signed with Ralph Heaton & Sons and James Watt & Co., both of Birmingham. The several
contracts were:

_________________________________________________________________

Tons Number of coins

________________________________________

R. Heaton & Sons

1. 1857 (July) 300 47,040,000

2. 1859 (October) 350 54,880,000

3. 1860 (May) 400 62,720,000

4. 1862 (April ?) 350 54,880,000

_____________

219,520,000

J. Watt & Co.

5. 1860 (May) 400 62,720,000

________ ______________

Total 1,800 282,240,000

_____________________________________________________________________

Dies for these contract coinages were prepared by the Royal mint and the obverse showing
the East India Company’s arms and motto was modelled from the design engraved by W.
Wyon for the Madras Presidency copper coinage of 1824/25, but the dies now dated 1857 or
1858. According to the terms of the contracts, all dies to be used were supplied to the
contractor by the Officer of the Royal Mint in charge of the Dies. Dies fairly worn out by use
were exchanged as required, but any die which in the opinion of that Officer had been
damaged thorough negligence on the contractor’s part was charged for, the damaged die
remaining the property of the Indian authorities.

The contract with Heaton in 1857 was the last action taken in currency provision by the East
India Company before the Government of India passed to the Crown on the 1st November
1858. Subsequent contracts between the India Office and R. Heaton & Sons, or J. Watt &
Co. contained similar provisions and the coins continued to bear the E.I.C. impression but
were dated 1858. This fixed date was necessary as the coins were struck under the authority
of Act XXII, 1844, and the same feature of striking and issuing existing E.I.C. coins in the
Indian mints after the 1st November 1858 continued until arrangements could be made for the
issue of a new coinage reflecting the change in the government of India. This finally took on
the 1st November 1862.

MINTS AND MINT MARKS

Three mints, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, were employed during the period 1835-58
(1862) and from a study of the actual coins it is apparent that a means identification exists
for many of the coins struck by each mint.

On some this consists of a mint master’s initials or initial on the truncation of the neck of the
King or Queen. Such coins can be attributed to the responsible mint and dated to the actual
period the official held the appointment. In other case attributions to the several mints have
been based upon certain deductions. These must remain provisional until actual proof is
discovered in the records which specify the marking, or the other distinctive system adopted
by the Company’s mints during this final period.

The period or year that dies of the new designs were first available in the several mints is
helpful in determining the issues.

WILLIAM IV EFFIGY (gold and silver); with E.I.C. arms (copper)

Calcutta Mint
Gold

double mohur- December 1835

Mohur- December 1835

silver rupee- September 1835

half rupee- September 1835

quarter rupee- September 1835

copper

quarter anna- December 1835

Bombay Mint
Gold

mohur August 1839

silver rupee December 1835

Coinage commenced 1837

half rupee January 1837

quarter rupee January 1837

Madras Mint

Operations suspended in August 1835. Repairs to machinery effected in 1837 and reopened
for coinage by striking the new design quarter anna. Other denomination followed:

Copper

half anna April 1838

Quarter anna July 1837

Pie or one-twelfth anna June 1839

VICTORIA EFFIGY: TYPE I or CONTINUOUS LEGEND

Calcutta Mint
Gold mohur February 1841

Silver rupee June 1840

half rupee February 1842

quarter rupee May 1842

two annas October 1844

Bombay Mint
Gold mohur March 1842

Silver rupee April 1841

half rupee March 1842

quarter rupee March 1842

two annas March 1842

Copper

half anna March 1844

Quarter anna March 1844 Company’s arms; dies dated 1835

One-twelfth anna March 1844

Madras Mint
Gold mohur March 1842

Silver rupee April 1841 Coinage commenced August

half rupee February 1842 Delivered before being approved by

quarter rupee February 1842 Government.

two annas March 1842

VICTORIA EFFIGY: TYPE II or DIVEDED LEGEND

Calcutta Mint
Gold mohur June 1857

Silver rupee July 1850

half rupee February 1851

quarter rupee April 1851

two annas 1851

Copper

half anna January 1845 Company’s arms: dies dated

Half pice 1853 according to year of introduction in

One-twelfth anna 1848 the Mint.

Bombay Mint
Gold mohur October 1857

Silver rupee February 1851

half rupee July 1851

quarter rupee July 1851

two annas August 1851

Madras Mint
Silver rupee June 1851

half rupee July 1851

quarter rupee July 1851

two annas August 1851

William IV: mint marks

With the exception of a MULE RUPEE bearing the date 1840, all the silver coins struck for
general circulation during the period 1835 to 1840/41 bear the fixed year date 1835. At the
Calcutta Mint the effigy of William IV was retained until the 10th November 1840. At Bombay
the coinage lasted until the 31st March 1841. These two mints were responsible for silver
coinage bearing the effigy of William IV. The Madras Mint only struck copper coins.
Attribution of the silver issues to the mint striking is based upon the occurrence or non-
occurrence of initials on the truncation of the King’s neck.

Coins of all the silver denominations occur with the initials of the following Masters of the
Calcutta Mint.

R.S. = Robert Saunders, 7th April 1826 – 4th January 1836

F. = Lt.-Col. William Nairn Forbes R.E., 5th January 1836 – 23rd January 1855
and the classification of the coins bearing these initials to the Calcutta Mint is certain. It
therefore only leaves the coins with a plain truncation to be attributed.

The ‘F’ and ‘plain’ truncation rupees occur roughly on a 2 to 1 ratio (the RS marked
specimens are scarce and can be disregarded). When checked against the mint returns for
the period, viz., Calcutta 109,088,070 and Bombay 53,712,502 rupees value, the inference
is that the ‘plain’ truncation coins are the product of the Bombay Mint. Additional support is
given by the THIN GAURDING RIM on the coins which agrees with the description given in
the report mentioned on page 9. They are catalogued accordingly.

Victoria: mint marks

The problem of attributing the coins of Queen Victoria to the responsible mint is more
difficult. Firstly, although the year date remains fixed at 1840 for the rupee, half and quarter,
and 1841 for the two annas and gold mohur, these are two distinct coin types:
TYPE I: CONTINUOUS LEGEND
The legend on the obverse, VICTORIA QUEEN, carries on over the Queen’s head.

There are two distinct varieties of the obverse effigy: ‘English head’ and ‘Indian head’ (see
page 13). They were struck in the several mints as follows:

____________________________________________________

Calcutta Mint 1840-49

Bombay Mint April 1841 – June 1851
Madras Mint April 1841 – June 1851
___________________________________________________

TYPE II: DIVIDED LEGEND

The legend on the obverse, VICTORIA QUEEN, is divided by the Queen’s head.

The obverse design was prepared by William Wyon; Royal Mint, London. The reverse was
copied by the Calcutta engraver from Wyon’s pattern of 1849. They were struck at the three
Indian mints in continuation of TYPE I until the year 1862, when the Imperial series
commenced.

From this it will be seen that two distinct types required to be attributed to three different
mints. The marks observed on the coins of the two types are arranged below in tabular form.

TYPE I

_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

Attribution

_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

Calcutta Madras Bombay

_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________

Rupee crescent (U) S or V no mark

Half rupee crescent (U) not traced “

Quarter rupee crescent (U) S or V “

Two annas crescent (U) S “

TYPE II

Madras Calcutta/Bombay

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________

Rupee S or B no mark

Half rupee S “

Quarter rupee S or B “

Two annas S “

_________________________________________________________________________
______________________

TYPE I: MARKS
These marks are located as follows:

The crescent (U) is found, in relief, on the top left portion of the ribbon bow on the tie of the
wreath on the reverse. Being in relief, this mint-mark is only visible on coins in either EF or
FDC condition. The crescent mark can be compared to a similar mint-mark which occurs on
some of the Calcutta-minted Presidency series. It was the private mark of the Calcutta Mint.

The S mark occurs incuse on the truncation of the Queen’s neck and is interpreted as the
initial of a mint master.

Omitting acting or officiating mint masters, the only mint master at any mint during the period
in question with the initial S was Major J. T. Smith of Madras. This officer was appointed in
February 1840, and occupied the position until September 1855 – a period which extends
over the two types.

One writer has attributed the S mark to Major M. N. Smyth of the Calcutta Mint, but as Smyth
was an officiating Mint Master at Calcutta for a less than two months (21st April – 6th June
1849) he can be excluded. The S coins are common, which indicates a long period of issue,
and they are issues from the Madras Mint during the mastership of Major J. T. Smith.
Yet another mark attributed to the Madras Mint is a small V in relief. This is located on
reverse, on the fold of the right bow of ribbon. No mention of it has been noted in the mint
records but the mark seems to have served as a form of die-marking for statistical purposes.
Major Smith was a competent officer. He undertook a comprehensive investigation into mint
processes, and was the author of several books or articles upon Indian currency and the
Indian mints.
The V mark was possibly inserted upon some matrices, or on working dies, as a method for
ascertaining their productive life. If this was so, it is akin to the similar experiments
conducted in England by the Royal Mint, which inserted control numbers on their dies.

The coins without the crescent mark, the mint master’s initial S or the V mark are therefore
attributed to the third mint of Bombay.

The above attribution for the TYPE I issues are logical and precise, but the same precision is
not apparent on the TYPE II coins.

TYPE II: MARKS

So far the only marks traced are S, B and, possibly, BO. No other markings or variations in
design have been noted that could be construed as forms of identification.

Those stamped with the S are a continuation of the Madras Mint issue and belong to the
period 1851-1855. This time, however, the S is in relief.

The initial B, also in relief, has only been traced on the rupee denomination. It appears to be
the

initial of Brevet Major J. H. Bell, who followed J. T. Smith in the appointment of Mint Master
at Madras and who retained the office until 1859. It should be mentioned that Bell also
served as officiating Mint Master at the Calcutta Mint, following the death of Forbes on
1st May 1855. Bell’s locations from 1855 to 1859 appear to have been:-
September 1855 – June 1856 Madras Mint Master

June 1856 – September 1858 Calcutta Officiating Mint Master

September 1858 – April 1859 Madras Mint Master

but the officiating period does not seem to have been marked upon the Calcutta Coinages.

Another rupee has been observed with the letters BO in the truncation, both letters in relief.
This, too, is a product of the Madras Mint. J. H. Bell was followed by a major C. A. Orr. His
term of office extended from 1859 to 1864, a period which extends beyond the last year of
striking of TYPE II coins. From the marking of the coin it would seem that instead of cutting a
new matrix for the obverse, Orr’s initial O was added after the B for Bell.

If the above deductions are correct, it will be seen that identifiable marks exist throughout the
entire period TYPE II coins were struck at the Madras Mint. They are catalogued
accordingly.

In the distinction between Bombay and Calcutta, no mark or unusual feature in the design
has been traced that could be assigned to either mint. Coins with the truncation impressed
with the initials W.W. ( W. Wyon) alone are therefore classed as common to both the mints
of Calcutta and Bombay.
Copper: date attribution
The initial copper coinage of the unified E.I.C.’s currency was of the same denomination and
weight as previously established for Bengal in 1831, viz:

_____________________________________________

Double pice or half anna of 200 grains

Pice or quarter anna of 100 grains

Pie or one-twelfth anna of 33-2/3 grains

__________________________________________

Act No. XXI, authorizing this new copper currency for circulation in the Bengal Presidency,
was passed on 7th December 1835. The choice of the design was left to the Governor-
General in Council. In the case of copper coins, while the reverse design conforms to the
general design of the reverse of the silver coinage, the obverse shows a marked deviation.
In 1834, the Government considered designs for the forthcoming coinage. For the copper
the suggestion was made by Mr. James Prinsep (Assay Master, Calcutta Mint) that it should
bear on obverse the Company’s arms, and on the reverse a wreath with the designation of
the piece. This met with the approval of the Governor-General in Council, and in October
1835 the Calcutta Mint submitted specimens for the copper currency with the design which
was adopted.

In 1853 orders were issued to extend the range of the denominations, and a half pice or one-
eight anna was introduced. Like the gold and silver coinages the copper issue commence
with a fixed year 1835, but some changes took place in later years. The dates recorded for
currency issue are:

Half anna 1835 1845

Quarter anna 1835 1857 1858

Half pice 1853

One-twelfth anna 1835 1848

Unlike the gold and silver coins, the copper currency retained the same design throughout
the entire period, and apart from the introduction of the half pice denomination in 1853, no
actual changes took place. It is therefore curious to find three of the copper denominations
with dates other than that of 1835. For half pice, the date 1853 is the year this denomination
was approved and first issued. Except for an experimental coinage dated 1835, the half
anna was first struck in the Calcutta Mint in 1845, and all Calcutta-minted half annas bear
that date. So also the pice or one-twelfth anna, first struck at the Calcutta Mint in 1848.

In the case of the quarter anna it is possible to state the reason for the dates 1857 and 1858.
The first and second Sikh wars of 1845 and 1848, followed in 1849 by the annexation of the
Punjab, depleted the currency. Pressure was so heavy in the mints for silver that copper
coinage was neglected and fell below requirements. In 1857 the Mutiny broke out and
continued through 1858. Coin was required to meet the heavy expenses connected with
military operations. The British Government made a loan of 6-1/4 million pounds sterling and
considerable quantities of copper were struck during 1857-62. To avoid dislocation of
production in the mints, copper pice or quarter anna coinages amounting 1,800 tons were
obtained from two private mints in Birmingham, England. These were struck during the
period 1857-62 from dies dated 1857 or 1858, supplied to the contractors by the Royal Mint,
London, and bore the East India Company’s impression.

Attribution of the copper quarter annas dated 1857 or 1858 to the responsible English mint
presents difficulties. Coins bearing the date 1857 are much scarcer than those dated 1858,
and it is certain that all quarter annas struck under the contract signed with Heaton in 1857
bore that year date, although two-thirds of the quantity ordered was minted in 1858. When
the second contract was signed in October 1859, the current year date could not be used on
a coin bearing the title EAST INDIA COMPANY, whose power in India had ceased on the
1st November 1858. So the decision was evidently taken to date the dies 1858, being the last
year of their authority, and this date continued to be used on the coins struck under
subsequent contracts.
There are two distinct types of both dates, which are distinguished by the number of leaves
at the tips of the open wreath on the reverse: (a) a single leaf: and (b) two leaves. The
single-leaf variety is the scarcer of the two.

If all the coins struck by Heaton’s after their first contract were dated 1858 and those struck
by Watt & Co. bore the same date, then there appears to be no means for distinguishing the
issues of the two mints. However, in the Handbooks (various editions) containing
testimonials and plates illustrating coins struck at The Mint, Birmingham, Limited, plate x, no.
1, depicts an 1858 quarter anna with double-leaf tips. Equally interesting are 1858 quarter
annas struck from worn and defaced dies which bear the initials J. W. & Co. (see Catalogue
no.158). These are machine trials produced by J. Watt & Co., when testing the coining
presses manufactured by that company and sent out to the Calcutta Copper Mint in
September 1860. Specimens from two different defaced dies have been examined and both
have the single-leaf type. So, on the basis of this evidence, plus comparative ratio of
occurrence, there is some justification for attributing the 1857/58 quarter anna as follows:

_____________________________

1857 both types Heaton

1858 two leaves Heaton

1858 single leaf Watt

_____________________________

but it must be stressed that the attributions are not conclusive.

It was following this need to use the capacity of English mints that the Indian Government
erected a new mint at Calcutta in 1860, expressly designed for the coinage of copper. This
Copper Mint was a self-contained establishment, quite separate from the Silver Mint.
After the 1st November 1858, the East India Company ceased to exist and further issues fall
to be dealt with under the Imperial series.

GOLD COINAGE
Legal tender status
Although Act XVII authorized the minting of gold coins, it declared that no gold coins should
be legal tender. They were in effect merchandise, and sold for silver rupees at the current
gold price. In 1835 this was less than the nominal rate, and the coinage of gold resulted in a
loss to the Mint. Only a small quantity of double and single mohurs were struck in the year
1835/36, and in 1836 the Mint received permission to sell the Government bullion in its
possession instead of coining it. Minting of gold then ceased until the year 1840/41. In 1837
indirect measures were taken to allow the circulation of gold, when mint certificates given for
gold deposits were made receivable in payment of taxes and exchangeable against silver
rupees. The first gold certificate paid silver was on the 27th December 1837, and the first gold
certificate received by transfer in payment of a Government demand was in January 1838.

By the year 1841, a demand for the gold coin had been arisen from merchants trading in the
provinces, and the circulation of gold coin was carried a stage further. A Proclamation, dated
13th January 1841, authorized officers in charge of Public Treasuries to receive gold coins at
the rate indicated by their denomination, i.e. one mohur equal to fifteen silver rupees.
The effect of this regulation was that mint certificates given for gold deposits at the
Mint could be:

(a) exchanged for silver rupees;

(b) paid in satisfaction for government demands; or

(c) exchanged for gold coin.

It also meant that no gold would be tendered to the mints if it was under-valued at this rate,
and conversely large amounts would be tendered if it was over-valued. This last condition
arose with the gold discoveries in Australia and California, which led to a fall in the value of
gold.

The first considerable increase in the import of gold into India was at Calcutta in the year
1848/49, and a large portion of this import was sent to the mint for coinage. Under the option
granted in 1837 the mint certificate could be paid to the Government, or negotiated through
the banks at the par rate of fifteen silver rupees for one mohur. The Government thus found
themselves paying more for gold than the value they were receiving. The gold, when coined
at the Mint, remained a dead balance in the Treasury.

By 1852 over five million rupees value in gold coins and bullion had accumulated in the
Treasuries, and the measures of 1837 and 1841 had to be repealed. This was effected by a
NOTIFICATION, dated 22nd December 1852, which ordered that from the 1st January 1853
‘no gold coin will be received on account of payments due, or in any way to be made to the
Government’. The NOTIFICATION, however, retained the conditions that gold bullion could
still be paid into the mints for coinage under the Act and Rules of 1835, but mint certificates
for gold could only be discharged in gold coins. No gold certificate was to be accepted by the
Treasury in payment of public demands.
Under the conditions of this notification gold coins once more became merchandise and had
no fixed value. The regulation, governing the coinage of gold and its non-acceptance in
circulation, continued for the remainder of the period of the East India Company’s rule.
Lion and palm design

The lion and palm design, adopted for the reverse of the gold coinage, was first suggested
by Captain W. N. Forbes, the Engineer-in-charge of the building of new Calcutta Mint, and
who became Mint Master when R. Saunders relinquished his appointment in 1836.

In a report dated 27th June 1825, Forbes suggested a device for coinage:
‘24th. Having ascertained that the Members of the Hon’ble Court with whom I was permitted
the honor of communicating on business were aware of these circumstances and that the
concurred in the opinion of artists regarding the vulgar and inelegant appearance of the arms
– I was induced to propose the simple Emblem of the Company a solitary Lion as a Device
for their Indian Coins –
25th. As an appropriate type of sovereignty and as an Emblem known and respected
whenever British Rule has been extended I suggested that the ease and Dignity and
strength which be so nobly personified on some of the coins of ancient Greece would be still
more consistent and characteristic when applied to India – moreover that he might be
completely localized by the ever flourishing Palm – an Asiatic altho’ ancient tasteful Emblem
of perpetuity.’
Forbes then Says:

‘I have to solicit attention of the Committee to a Model of the Design executed by Rouw after
a Drawing by Flaxman.’

John Flaxman, artist and sculptor (1755-1826), designed several medals for engravers.
From the context of Forbes’ report it appears that the Directors followed his suggestion. The
evidently commissioned Flaxman to execute the suggested design, c 1821-1824. It was then
modelled by Rouw (presumably Peter Rouw, sculptor).Prinsep’s report, 6th April 1834, he
recommends as the design for the reverse of the gold coin the ‘emblematic device such as
Captain Forbes has eloquently described’ and adds:”Flaxman’s elegant device being already
in Possession of the Hon’ble Court of Directors and an impression of it being with Captain
Forbes, it will be unnecessary to go to the expense of cutting a die for the purpose of striking
off a pattern Coin in that metal.’The lion and palm design first appears on some copper
patterns, inscribed on the reverse BOMBAY 1828. The die was evidently engraved by an
artist of that Mint, copying from an impression of Rouw’s model. This must have been sent to
Bombay by the Directors or loaned to them by Forbes. The name of this Bombay mint
engraver is not stated, but various references suggest it was Robert Gordon, 2nd Bn. Bombay
Artillery (2nd Battalion created 1820), who was transferred to the Mint for duty as a die sinker
on 15th April 1829. The reverse design on the ‘lion’ pattern is a ‘star’ and ‘garter’, with the
garter inscribed BOMBAY. It is very suggestive of some military badge or insignia or an
adaption therefrom (A description of the device on the shoulder-belt and waist belt worn by
the Bombay Foot Artillery, c. 1835, is ‘a Crown on a Star, over the central device of the gun
inside, garter inscribed Bombay Artillery’.).

Before Gordon’s transfer took place in 1829, some knowledge of his ability must have been
ascertained. These 1828 copper patterns may have been the testing of his skill.

The lion and palm on subsequent gold coins was engraved at the Calcutta Mint by Kasinath
Dass. It varies slightly from that on the Bombay copper patterns, and was without doubt
copied from impression then in the possession of Captain Forbes. A further representation of
Flaxman’s design occurs on the 1854 patterns engraved by W. or L. C. Wyon.