One Rupees of British India (1862-1947)
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Updated:
6/2/2026
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This set covers all "One Rupee" denomination coins issued after the Government of India Act 1858 was passed. This Act of the British parliament transferred the government and territories of the East India Company to the British Crown. The company's rule over British territories in India came to an end and it was passed directly to the British government.
The first coins under the British government/crown were issued in 1862 with the obverse of a crowned "Queen Victoria". The date on the reverse remained fixed between 1862-1873 and the mint-masters added dots on the reverse to mark years of issue. The next coins issued between 1874-76 also bore the same effigy and legends on obverse. After the Royal Titles Act was passed in May 1876, the subsequent coins beginning 1877 had "Empress Victoria" in legend on reverse.
Coins of this Imperial British era span from 1862 to 1947 which is when India received independence from British Rule. Over these 85+ years, four monarchs ruled the country and the coinage took on various designs. Rupee coins from the Edward VII's era featured the emperors uncrowned head with a high relief. Coins from George V's era started with a controversy around a design element as the elephant in the robe looked like a pig. Rupee of the George VI era went thru several elemental changes, from full silver to half silver at the outbreak of the WW2 to eventually no silver (all nickel) by the end of the war.
I started my journey of collecting coins back when I was in middle school when as kids we would barter unique looking coins found in our grandparents cabinets. The hobby was lost on me for a few years until I started working and stumbled on the world of graded mint-state coins. In early 2014, I endeavored to build a set of British Indian rupees (1835-1947) across the various functional mints (Lahore, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta) and all known/documented varieties. On this lifelong quest, I have found several undocumented ones too. I have graded about half of whats on this set myself, others I have bought graded in auctions globally, ebay, and from dealers across the world. Thankful to countless who have directly or indirectly assisted with helping this set become the world's finest!
You may also take a look at my other set 1835-40 rupees which covers the East India company issuances.
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One Rupees of British India (1862-1947)
By D.Bansal
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