British India Coin – Eight Annas / Half Rupee

EAST INDIA COMPANY – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Head of King William IV facing right. English legend surrounding the portrait.
Legend: WILLIAM ɪɪɪɪ, KING.

Mints & Coin Orientation:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.5-24.9 mm Diameter, Letter’s “RS” or “F” Incused or “F” Raised on the bust truncation.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.5-25.0 mm Diameter, No Letter’s or Initials.

Edge: Reeded edge and Toothed Rim.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Reverse

Laurel Wreath: This wreath encircles the central design element, symbolizing victory and honor.
Bilingual Inscription: The inclusion of both English and Persian inscriptions reflects the diverse linguistic landscape of India during the colonial era.
Lettering:
EAST INDIA COMPANY
HALF RUPEE
هشت آن
1835.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B369	1835	Bombay	5000	10K	15K	20K	50K	R
		Calcutta	5000	10K	15K	20K	50K	R

VICTORIA QUEEN – HALF RUPEE

CONTINUOUS LEGEND

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Portrait: Crown bust of Queen Victoria facing Left.
Legend: VICTORIA QUEEN Continuous Legend.

Mints:

Madras / Chennai: 24.7-24.9 mm Diameter. “S” Incused on neck and “V” privy mark.
Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.3-24.4 mm Diameter. Crescent privy mark on ribbon.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.5-24.7 mm Diameter. No mint mark.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Reverse

Design: Denomination in English and Persian within a wreath with date below wreath and legend outside.
Lettering:
EAST INDIA COMPANY
HALF
RUPEE
هشت آن
1840

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B370	1840	Bombay	2000	3000	3500	4000	15K	S
		Madras	2500	4000	4500	5000	20K	S
		Calcutta	2000	3000	3500	4000	15K	S

VICTORIA QUEEN – HALF RUPEE

DIVIDED LEGEND

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Portrait: Crown bust of Queen Victoria facing Left.
Legend: VICTORIA QUEEN Divided Legend.

Mints:

Madras / Chennai: 24.3-24.9 mm Diameter. “S” raised with initials W.W. incused or “B” raised with Initials W.W incused.
Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.3-24.4 mm Diameter. Initials .W.W Incused.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.3-24.5 mm Diameter. Initials .W.W Incused.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Reverse

Design: Denomination in English and Persian within a wreath with date below wreath and legend outside.
Lettering:
EAST INDIA COMPANY
HALF
RUPEE
هشت آن
1840

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B371	1840	Bombay	1200	2000	3000	3500	10K	S
		Madras	1500	2500	3500	4000	12K	S
		Calcutta	1200	2000	3000	3500	10K	S

VICTORIA QUEEN – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Crown bust of Empress Victoria facing Left.
Legend: VICTORIA EMPRESS.
Type A: Four dress panels with unique floral details.
Type B: Four and a half or four and two-thirds dress panels, flower in the bottom panel doesn’t fully fit (1874-1877, 1881, 1882).
Type C: Four and three-quarters dress panels with distinct floral design (1862 only).

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.3-24.6 mm Diameter. Observe & Reverse type A.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.5 mm Diameter. Reverse & Observe type B. After 1862 coins have Dot ‘.‘ below date and above flower.
Madras / Chennai: 24.3-24.6 mm Diameter or above. Only minted in 1862. Reverse & Observe type B.
All coins minted from 1862 through 1873 have the date “1862

Reverse

Design: A wreath with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
Reverse B: Large top flower with long, downward-curving petals.
Reverse B: Small top flower with short, less-curved petals.
Lettering 1:
1/4
RUPEE
——-
INDIA
1862
Lettering 2:
1/4
RUPEE
——-
INDIA
1874

Metal Composition: Silver.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B372	1862	Bombay	1500	2500	3500	4500	15K	S
		Madras	1500	2500	3500	4500	15K	S
		Calcutta	1500	2500	3500	4500	15K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B373	1874	Bombay	3500	5500	7000	10K	25K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B374	1875	Bombay	4500	6000	8500	12K	30K	R
		Calcutta	4500	6000	8500	12K	30K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B375	1876	Bombay	3500	5500	8000	12K	25K	R
		Calcutta	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	X

VICTORIA EMPRESS – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Crown bust of Empress Victoria facing Left.
Legend: VICTORIA EMPRESS.
Type A: Four distinct panels on the dress. The floral design on the dress is unique to this type.
Type B: Four and a half or four and two-thirds dress panels. The flower on the bottom panel doesn’t fully fit within the panel. This type is relatively rare and was only minted in specific years (1874-1877, 1881, 1882).
Type C: Four and three-quarters dress panels. The floral design on the dress differs from Type A and B. This type is unique to the 1862 issue.

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.3-24.6 mm Diameter. No mint mark for 1877-78. “C” Incused on bottom flower on 1879-89, 1892-94, 1896-99.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.3-24.6 mm Diameter. Dot ‘.‘ on 1877, 1881-82, 1884. “B” Raised on the top flower on 1885-89. “B” Incused on 1889, 1892-94, 1897, 1899.

Reverse

Design: A wreath with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
Reverse I: Large top flower with long, downward-curving petals.
Reverse II: Small top flower with short, less-curved petals.
Lettering:
HALF
RUPEE
——-
INDIA
1879, 1880, 1883.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B376	1877	Bombay	7000	15K	25k	30K	55K	R
		Calcutta	5000	10K	20K	25K	50K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B377	1878	Calcutta	10K	15K	25K	35K	70K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B378	1879	Calcutta	15K	25K	35K	40K	1.2L	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B379	1880	Calcutta	50K	1L	1.5L	1.75L	★★★	X

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B380	1881	Bombay	8000	10K	15K	20K	50K	R
		Calcutta	8000	10K	15K	20K	50K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B382	1882	Bombay	7000	10K	12K	18K	40K	R
		Calcutta	7000	10K	12K	18K	40K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B383	1883	Calcutta	20K	30K	40K	50K	1.2L	X

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B384	1884	Bombay	7000	12K	15K	18K	35K	R
		Calcutta	7000	12K	15K	18K	35K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B385	1885	Bombay	6000	10K	12K	15K	30K	R
		Calcutta	6000	10K	12K	15K	30K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B386	1886	Bombay	2500	5000	7000	10K	25K	R
		Calcutta	2500	5000	7000	10K	25K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B387	1887	Bombay	2500	4500	7000	12K	25K	S
		Calcutta	2000	4000	6000	10K	20K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B388	1888	Bombay	2500	4500	7000	12K	25K	S
		Calcutta	2500	4500	7000	12K	25K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B389	1889	Bombay	2000	4000	6000	10K	20K	S
		Calcutta	2000	4000	6000	10K	20K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B390	1892	Bombay	2000	4000	6000	10K	20K	S
		Calcutta	2000	4000	6000	10K	20K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B391	1893	Bombay	3000	7000	10K	12K	25K	S
		Calcutta	3000	6000	8000	10K	22K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B392	1894	Bombay	3000	6000	8000	10K	25K	S
		Calcutta	3000	6000	8000	10K	22K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B393	1896	Calcutta	3000	7000	10K	12K	25K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B394	1897	Bombay	2500	5500	7000	10K	20K	S
		Calcutta	2500	5500	7000	10K	20K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B395	1898	Bombay	6000	8000	12K	15K	35K	S
		Calcutta	4500	7000	10K	12K	25K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B396	1899	Bombay	1200	1700	2000	2500	5000	C
		Calcutta	1200	1700	2000	2500	4000	C

EDWARD VII – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Bust of Edward VII facing Right.
Legend: EDWARD VII KING AND EMPEROR.

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.3-24.5 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24.3-24.6 mm Diameter, Incuse “B” below the cross pattee on the reverse.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse

Design: Crown at the top. Denomination “HALF RUPEE”. Date at the bottom. Flower shoots to the left and right of the circle.
Lettering:
HALF
RUPEE
INDIA
هشت آنہ
1909

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B397	1905	Calcutta	2000	3500	5000	7000	22K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B398	1906	Bombay	2500	5000	8000	12K	25K	R
		Calcutta	1500	3000	5000	8000	15K	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B399	1907	Bombay	1500	3000	5000	8000	15K	C
		Calcutta	1500	3000	5000	8000	15K	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B400	1908	Calcutta	1500	4000	5500	8000	15K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B401	1909	Calcutta	2000	4000	6500	12K	35K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B402	1910	Bombay	1500	3000	5000	8000	15K	C
		Calcutta	1500	3000	5000	8000	15K	C

GEORGE V – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Crowned Bust of George V facing Left.
Legend: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR.

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24.5 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
Bombay/Mumbai: 24.5 mm Diameter, Dot ‘•’ symbol under Lotus below date.

Metal Composition: Silver.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse

Design: A wreath with Value, country name and date within circle.
Lettering:
HALF
RUPEE
INDIA
هشت آنہ
1916

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 5.83g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B403	1911	Calcutta	1L	1.5L	2L	2.5L	★★★	X

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B404	1912	Bombay	700	1000	1500	2000	5000	S
		Calcutta	700	1000	1500	2000	5000	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B405	1913	Bombay	1000	2500	3500	5000	20K	S
		Calcutta	1000	2500	3500	5000	20K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B406	1914	Bombay	1000	1500	2000	2500	7000	S
		Calcutta	800	1000	1500	2000	5000	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B407	1915	Calcutta	1000	2500	3500	5000	20K	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B408	1916	Bombay	800	1200	1500	2000	5000	C
		Calcutta	700	1000	1200	1800	4000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B409	1917	Calcutta	600	750	850	1000	2500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B410	1918	Calcutta	600	750	850	1000	2500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B411	1919	Calcutta	600	750	850	1000	2500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B412	1921	Calcutta	600	750	850	1000	2500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B413	1922	Bombay	700	850	1200	1500	5000	C
		Calcutta	600	800	1000	1200	3500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B414	1923	Bombay	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C
		Calcutta	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B415	1924	Bombay	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C
		Calcutta	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B416	1925	Bombay	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C
		Calcutta	500	700	1000	1200	3000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B417	1926	Bombay	600	800	1000	1500	4000	C
		Calcutta	600	800	1000	1500	4000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B418	1927	Calcutta	1000	1500	2000	2500	7500	R

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B419	1928	Bombay	550	750	850	1000	2000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B420	1929	Calcutta	550	750	850	1000	2000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B421	1930	Calcutta	750	1000	1500	2000	5000	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B422	1933	Calcutta	550	750	850	1000	1500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B423	1934	Calcutta	500	700	800	1000	1500	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B424	1936	Bombay	500	700	800	1000	1500	C
		Calcutta	500	700	800	1000	1500	C

GEORGE V – 8 ANNAS

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Portrait: Crowned Bust of George V facing Left.
Lettering: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR.

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 26 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
Bombay/Mumbai: 26 mm Diameter, Dot ‘•’ symbol under Telugu legend.

Metal Composition: Copper-Nickel.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse

Design: Denomination and date within a scalloped shape inside a double-lined square. Value in four Indian languages (Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, and Devanagari) outside the square.
Lettering:
INDIA 1920
8
ANNAS

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 7.8g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B425	1919	Bombay	3000	5000	8000	12K	18K	S
		Calcutta	2500	4500	8000	10K	15K	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B426	1920	Bombay	25K	40K	60K	70K	1L	R

GEORGE VI – HALF RUPEE

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Portrait: Crowned Bust of George VI facing Left.
Legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR.

Mints:

Calcutta / Kolkata: 24-24.5 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
Bombay / Mumbai: 24-24.5 mm Diameter. Dot “.” or Diamond “♦” below lotus under date.
Lahore – Pakistan: 24-24.5 mm Diameter. Letter “L” below lotus under date. Minted only in 50% Silver Metal Composition.

Metal Composition: Silver in 1938-39 and 50% Silver in 1940 and after.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Shape: Circular.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse

Design: A wreath with Value, country name and date within circle.
Lettering 1:
HALF
RUPEE
INDIA
1939
هشت آنہ
Lettering 2:
HALF
RUPEE
INDIA
1944
هشت آنہ

Weight: 5.83g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B427	1938	Bombay	500	750	1000	1500	2500	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B428	1939	Bombay	500	550	650	850	1000	C
		Calcutta	500	550	650	850	1000	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B429	1940	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C
		Calcutta	300	350	400	450	600	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B430	1941	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B431	1942	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B432	1943	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C
		Lahore	350	450	500	550	700	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B433	1944	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C
		Lahore	350	450	500	550	700	S

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B434	1945	Bombay	300	350	400	450	600	C
		Lahore	350	450	500	550	700	S

GEORGE VI – HALF RUPEE (Nickel)

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Portrait: Crowned Bust of George VI facing Left.
Legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR.

Mints:

Bombay / Mumbai: 24.0-24.4 mm Diameter. Diamond below date. Minted only in Bombay.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Reeded edge & Plain rIm.

Shape: Circular.

Metal Composition: Nickel.

Reverse

Design: Indian tiger (Panthera tigris) facing left Legend and date below the tiger Value in three languages (English, Hindi, and Persian) surrounding the tiger.
Lettering:
आधा रुपया
HALF RUPEE
هشت آنہ
INDIA
1947

Weight: 5.9g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B435	1946	Bombay	25	50	75	100	200	C

MW#	Year	Mint	G	F	VF	XF	UNC	Rarity
B436	1947	Bombay	25	50	75	100	200	C

🢠 Back to British India Coins

British India Coin 16 Annas / One Rupee 🢡

British India Coin – Eight Annas / Half Rupee

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