1840 "Queen Victoria" Rupee

I'm a bit out of touch with that particular market now. I used to buy from various sources including auctions in UK, postal auctions, and a dealer in India. I probably still have the details of the dealer in India, but most of my other contacts would probably be selling directly on ebay now.

I'm a bit wary of buying slabbed coins from US slabbing companies because I just don't think they know their stuff well enough when it comes to `foreign'. Besides, the British India coinages (East India Company as well as Imperial) is vast, and the varieties..... even more vast. I sometimes wonder if they have the necessary references at hand.

I like that coin you highlight but I don't like the price. It isn't exactly a `difficult' coin to find in that condition.

 

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No evidence that i'm aware of of a Wm IV portrait rupee dated 1839. Best leaving that one in the hands of the dealer concerned.

 

It is a dud.

Biju,that piece bearing the portrait of King William IV & the date 1839 is definitely a dud,as King William IV reigned from 1830 to 1837,when he was succeeded by his niece,Queen Victoria.

Aidan.

 

Aidan. You can't use the dates of his reign as the reason why the coin is a `dud'. ...even though ordinarily that would make perfect sense.

Rare as it might be there was indeed a portrait rupee issued from Calcutta mint in 1840 bearing his bust.

 

since we are talking about william 4 i think this makes a pretty picture



What do you guys think?

 

sorry the link did not work here is an attachment

 

I am just trying to get one coin from each of the monarchs in the best condition i can blast white ms 65 and above uncleaned specimens if possible would be great.

 

Spock I like it, can I adopt it LOL I have a small collection and would like to expand it but have trouble even finding litrature never mind the coins LOL

De Orc :kewl:

 

I also find the pre-1862 East India Company coinage (1835-58) a bit difficult to find,especially the silver.

Aidan.

 

What Ian says is right. Thats why I got this doubt about this coin.

 

Here in India, there is no grading system and frankly, I do not have any clue about those numbers (ms 65, ms 64 or anything like that). If you are after a single coin from each monarch in good condition (UNC), I'll track them here in India and let you know. But if possible, please let me see a specimen of MS 65 coin.

 

Biju,we just use the basic 7 point simple grading system here in New Zealand.We don't believe in saying that there's several grades of Unc,no matter where the coins are from.

Aidan.

 

I wouldn't have any doubts about it being fake if I were you. While the arguement that Aidan provided is unsafe, the coin you mention is most definitely a fake.

The only genuine 1840 WM IV portrait rupees are in the form of proof coins and as scarce as hen's teeth. The `circulation' strikes are all 1840/5. That is, overdates. These too are not commonly found in dealers junk trays, but slightly less scarce than the proofs.

I'm not sure why these came about, but I posit that someone somewhere saw them as a short term solution for currency needs until Vicky coins could be produced.

Excuse mty being just a tad cynical, but why not ask the dealer concerned how many he can provide you with...and if he gives a discount for quantity?

 

I dont think the dealers here are not that stupid, Ian. Besides, I was only making sure about this coin. Thanks for your tips. I wont buy it.

 

Ian,what do you mean,my explanation about any dates after 1837 being muled with the 1835 obverse,being fakes,is unsafe?

In my view,until the 1840's were issued,it was the 1835's that continued to be struck,so the true mintage figure for the 1835's will never be known.

Aidan.

 

Aidan, what you actually said was:

"Biju,that piece bearing the portrait of King William IV & the date 1839 is definitely a dud,as King William IV reigned from 1830 to 1837,when he was succeeded by his niece,Queen Victoria."

I can't see your making any mention of the WM IV rupee bearing the date 1840, can you? It exists, it is not a fake, and it certainly doesn't fall into the time frame 1830-1837. Hence your assertion is very obviously flawed.

 

You are right Ian. And I admit it. :bow:

 

You can get the literature from here:
http://www.coincoin.com/bkII.htm#STATES

 

Thanks Spiral will have a look see on what they have concerning the East India Co :hug: Ian do you by any chance have any reccomendations?

De Orc :kewl:

 

Pridmore part IV vol 1 is the numismatic bible for EIC coinages (1642-1835). Hard to find, and generally expensive when you do find it, but worth its weight in gold to the serious collector of that coinage.

You'll find it listed on the site Spiral has provided for $125. That's a pretty good price if it is in decent condition.