Hello.. here's an interesting coin. Its a One Chuckram coin from the Indian Princely state of Travancore. I belong to this place. The One Chuckram coin is made of Copper and no other instances of this coin being made in another metal is noted (both in the official papers and in the collectors pages). No Copper Nickel coin is minted by the Travancore princely state as far as I am concerned. Recently, I came to know about a Copper Nickel One Chuckam being auctioned at about 900 Dollars. And today, I noticed another one in the web!!!! This is valued at 500 Dollars. The Copper Chuckram in UNC is valued at around 8 Dollars now. Well.. I am 'terribly' confused.... Here's the link to the coin in question: http://www.sixbid.com/home/auctions/mmamerica/mma11/00520H00.HTM The period of the coin is 1938 to 1949.
The Krause book says that the chuckram is made of bronze which is an alloy of copper and tin.Some prooflike examples were struck at the ND mint but no mention of cupro-nickel test/pattern pieces but I suspect that is what this is.I doubt it's a fake,this guy has what looks like some of the finest Indian and world coins on the planet and it's doubtful he would offer anything suspicious for auction.It is odd though,that he mentions Krause in the description but just says "KM-very rare".
Thats right!! pardon me for the mistake.. The coin is actually made of bronze. It was sheer oversight from my part. But this Copper Nickel coin is absolutely rubbish as there is no mention of any such pattern coin anywhere. It seems only he got this particular coin. And it is heard someone has bought it for 950 Dollars from him... !!!
Biju,this is definitely a pattern coin.I have got one of the issued (& dated) one of the issued coins,which are in copper.Pattern coins are occasionally struck on planchets in other metals as a way of testing the dies as to the coinability of the design.I like the regal portraits of some of the various Indian monarchs,especially Maharajah Bala Rama Varma II of Travancore. Aidan.
well... may be... but here in Travancore, it is totally unheard of. Aidan, I contacted the archeological department here for any possible pattern coin. But there is no mention of such a pattern coin. Ofcourse, there are about 5 coins which are not catalogued. But none of them are made of copper nickel. And this is the second such coin coming up in so short a period!!!
Biju,there are a lot of pattern coins that are unknown to the majority of numismatists that aren't yet listed in Krause.You posted the picture of the 1949 Indian 2 Annas pattern coin recently.The pattern 1 Chuckram is in the same category.Perhaps the archaeological department in your part of India is not aware of this fact.I am surprised that there isn't a numismatist on the staff of the department.What do you think? Aidan.
hmmm... you are right Aidan.. There is no numismatist in the department.. Well, I think I got to search a bit harder now.. I'm having doubts now... thanx to you Aidan..
Biju,if you find anything else like that from modern India or from one of the Indian Princely States,please let us know.One of us may be able to help you there.I've posted an Indian banknote link in the Paper Money section,which will be up your street. Aidan.
Hi all I m having exactly the same 1 chuckram travancore coin as shown in the above link http://www.sixbid.com/home/auctions/...1/00520H00.HTM I dont know what is it worth of... except the fact that its the same one as in the pic (though brownish in color) and there its estimated worth is shown as $500.. Can anyone please guide?? Thanks in advance
if its a copper nickel coin it may or may not be a pattern. would i pay the $500 for it probably not. Lot of documentation for patterns is missing or incorrect for indian coins and even if this a genuine pattern my advice is if you are unsure about the coin then dont spend that kind of money on it.
It sounds like you may have the common circulating coin made with copper. The one in the link is a pattern coin minted in Copper-Nickel and is much more expensive then common circulating coin. The circulating coin is minted in copper and they are easily available. Please post an image and correct weight, if possible. Regards, Ballabh Garg
hi all . i have a similar coin vintage 1118 and 1110. can anyone advise how to sell it and what price to quote? my email add is bharat2481@gmail.com. my number is 9596344044. thankyou
