East India Company 1840 1/2 Rupee info needed

grinchbc

I just purchased a continous legend 1840 1/2 rupee that has the raised B before the incuse W.W. signifying a Madras minted coin. According to Pridmore the B has only been traced to the Rupee. As well my example does have what looks to be the raised letter P on top of and north of the letter B. The P doesn't make sense unless it's the letter O, which does. But then again, if its the letters B & O, it's only been attributed to the Rupee. Anybody have any further new info to add besides what Pridmore had found. I know the Madras mint is the scarcer coin. I'm wondering if it's even more scarce.

koincollect

I guess you meant divided legend. This coin is known to collectors of British India though it is not recorded in Pridmore. This is also from Madras and is scarcer than the "S W.W" variety (Pr-82). Congrats on the purchase and please let me know if you ever decide to sell this off.

grinchbc

You are correct koincollect, it is the divided legend. Can you confirm if there is such a thing as a 1/2 Rupee "B O W.W". Where does this rate in regards to a S W.W and a B W.W. I know Rathod has all three mints as scarce.

I purchased the coin because a friend in Kolkata was looking for examples of the 1840 1/4 Rupee. This was the closest I could find and I thought it was cheap at $25 Cdn. in Au, so I bought it for myself. I'm beginning to think I got lucky as I only collect the copper denominations from British India.

Robert

determined

I don't know if this will be any help to you but Baldwin has some info on their site. But I don't know the source of their information or how complete it is.


Divided Legend Half Rupee But no mention of a B O W.W.


Their Divided Legend Rupee page (unfortunately their W.W.BO picture doesn't show.)

koincollect

There is no 1/2 Rupee as you mention but there is a rare Rupee with "W.W.B O". I have not seen any examples of this variety, but this is recorded.

Bjorn

<< <i>You are correct koincollect, it is the divided legend. Can you confirm if there is such a thing as a 1/2 Rupee "B O W.W". Where does this rate in regards to a S W.W and a B W.W. I know Rathod has all three mints as scarce.

I purchased the coin because a friend in Kolkata was looking for examples of the 1840 1/4 Rupee. This was the closest I could find and I thought it was cheap at $25 Cdn. in Au, so I bought it for myself. I'm beginning to think I got lucky as I only collect the copper denominations from British India.

Robert >>



In AU, very cheap....

grinchbc

thanks everyone for the help ...