I just came across an old but interesting article yesterday about the Indian 1 Dollar pattern coin (Pn 117/118/119/120). This pattern coin is valued $2700 by Krause and I never knew it existed. Source: The Hindu Business Line As early as in 1863, a suggestion to establish a dollar coin within the Indian monetary system having the value of double rupee, was made by the Bombay Government. This was soon after (1862) the takeover of the East India Company, replacing the company's monetary system and also the private banks' currency. The `dollar' patterns were prepared by A.P. Spencer, Chief Engraver, His Majesty's Mint, Calcutta, who engraved the coins of King George VI in 1938 and 1947. These patterns carry the portrait of the King on the obverse side and value in English and Persian, 1 dollar/2 rupees 8 annas, India and year 1941. The first type depicts 1 in the centre, while the second shows it on the right side, sporting an entirely different look. The reason for such a preparation was totally different. Till 1941, the Indian economy was not seriously affected by World War II. However, more demand to produce coins of other nations and the pressure on the minting capacity and machine power increased.
Interesting read... I assume it was struck in silver? IMHO, the design looks a little out of place for the time period. It looks like a more modern design to me.
