BRITISH INDIA COIN – ONE QUARTER ANNA

EAST INDIA COMPANY – ONE QUARTER ANNA
Obverse
  • Shield: The shield is divided into four quarters. The first quarter displays the combined arms of England and France, symbolizing the historical connection between the two nations. The other three quarters contain the company’s own arms, which feature a red cross on a white background.
  • Two Lions: These lions are the supporters of the shield, symbolizing strength and power.
  • St. George’s Cross: This cross on the crest represents England and its patron saint, St. George.
  • Flags: The flags likely represent the flags of England and the East India Company.
  • Motto: Below the shield is a ribbon with the motto “AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG:”, which stands for “Auspicio Regis et Senatus Angliae” meaning “Under the auspices of the King and Senate of England”.
  • Date: The year of minting above ribbon.
  • Lettering:
    1835
    AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG:

Coin Orientation: Variable alignment (minted in both medal and coin 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.
  • Plain Rim: This simple rim frames the entire design, providing a clean and elegant border.
  • Lettering:
    EAST INDIA COMPANY
    یک پای
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA

Edge: Plain.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 6.47g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

Metal Composition: Copper.

Mints & Coin Orientation:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 25.5 mm Diameter.
  • Bombay / Mumbai: 25.4 mm Diameter.
  • Madras / Chennai: 26.3 mm Diameter.
VICTORIA QUEEN – ONE QUARTER ANNA
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crown bust of Queen Victoria facing Left.
  • Legend: VICTORIA QUEEN.
  • Type A: Four dress panels with a single flower on the bottom panel.
  • Type B: Four dress panels with flowers on both the left and right sides of the bottom panel.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 26.1-26.3 mm Diameter, No mint mark.
  • Bombay / Mumbai: 25.5 mm Diameter, dot or no mint mark. After 1874 no mint mark.
  • Madras / Chennai: 25.3 mm Diameter, 1862 only.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 6.47g.

Edge & Rim:

Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Metal Composition: Copper.

Minted Technique: Milled.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
  • Reverse Types:
  • Reverse I: Two leaves below the date.
  • Reverse II: Single leaf below the date.
  • Lettering1:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1862
  • Lettering2:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1875

Additional Notes:

  • Coins minted from 1862 to 1873 all have the date 1862.
  • The legend changes from “Victoria Queen” to “Victoria Empress” in 1877.
  • Small markings like “v” or “C” may be present on some coins, but they are often difficult to see.
VICTORIA EMPRESS – ONE QUARTER ANNA
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crown bust of Empress Victoria facing Left.
  • Legend: VICTORIA EMPRESS.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 25.3 mm Diameter, One Leaf below the date.
  • Bombay / Mumbai: 25.3 mm Diameter. Two Leaves under first and last digit of the date.

Edge & Rim: Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 6.45g.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Metal Composition: Copper.

Minted Technique: Milled.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
  • Lettering1:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1879
  • Lettering2:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1898
EDWARD VII – ONE QUARTER ANNA (COPPER)
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crowned head of Edward VII facing Right.
  • Legend: EDWARD VII KING & EMPEROR.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 25.3 mm Diameter, minted only in Calcutta.

Weight: 6.5g.

Shape: Circular.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
  • Lettering:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1906

Metal Composition: Copper.

Minted Technique: Milled.

EDWARD VII – ONE QUARTER ANNA (BRONZE)
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crowned head of Edward VII facing Right.
  • Legend: EDWARD VII, KING & EMPEROR.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 25.3 mm Diameter, minted only in Calcutta.

Metal Composition: Bronze.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
  • Lettering:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1907

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 4.84g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

GEORGE V – ONE QUARTER ANNA
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crowned Head of George V facing Left.
  • Legend: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 25.3 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
  • Mumbai / Bombay: 25.3 mm Diameter, Dot ‘•’ symbol under date.

Metal Composition: Bronze.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim: Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, dividing line, country name and date.
  • Lettering:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    —–
    INDIA
    1916

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 4.85g.

Minted Technique: Milled.

GEORGE VI – ONE QUARTER ANNA
Obverse
  • Portrait: Crowned Head of George VI facing Left.
  • Legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR.
  • First head: Longer fleur-de-lis in the crown.
  • Second head: Shorter fleur-de-lis in the crown.

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 21.1-21.3 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
  • Bombay/Mumbai: 21.4 mm Diameter. Dot ‘•’ under the date.

Metal Composition: Bronze.

Edge & Rim:

Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Reverse
  • Design: A wreath and beaded circle with Value, country name and date.
  • Lettering:
    ONE
    QUARTER
    ANNA
    INDIA
    1941
  • 9 Dots inside circle, Wide Date
  • 9 Dots inside circle, Narrow Date
  • 7 Dots inside circle, Wide Date

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 4.5g.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Minted Technique: Milled.

GEORGE VI – 1 PICE
Obverse
  • Center Hole: This was a common feature in Indian coins, especially smaller denominations, to facilitate stringing them together.
  • Large Date and Legend: These elements were prominent on Pice coins.
  • Legend:
    1 PICE INDIA
    एक पैसा 1943 ایک پیسه

Mints:

  • Calcutta / Kolkata: 21.35 mm Diameter, no mint mark.
  • Bombay/Mumbai: 21.35 mm Diameter. Dot ‘•’ or Diamond ‘♦’ symbol below date.
  • Lahore / Pakistan: 21.35 mm Diameter. “L” raised below the date.
  • Pretoria, South Africa: 21.35 mm Diameter, small dot ‘·’ symbol below date.
Reverse
  • Design: A wreath surrounds the center hole as a design.

Shape: Circular.

Weight: 1.95g.

Coin Orientation: Medal Alignment.

Edge & Rim:

Plain edge & Toothed rim.

Metal Composition: Bronze.

Minted Technique: Milled.

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