India (British) 2 Annas, 1/2 Rupee, and 1 Rupee 1912 to 1936

Much of India was under British rule between the mid-1700s and the mid-1900s. During this time many different types of coins were minted with denominations pice, anna, rupee, and mohur. This page covers the silver British India coinage of King George V. These coins show the king on the front and a wreathed and circled denomination and date on the back. Other patterns were used also, and copper coins as well, but this page applies only to silver coins that look like our main picture.

The listings below give approximate catalog values for these coins. To qualify for these values, a coin must be free of all problems such as scratches, stains, corrosion, cleaning, nicks, gouges, and the like. All dates are about equal in value.

2 ANNAS (0.043 troy ounces silver)
worn: $2 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $3
well preserved: $8
fully uncirculated: $20

1/2 RUPEE (0.172 troy ounces silver)
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $8
well preserved: $15
fully uncirculated: $30

1 RUPEE (0.344 troy ounces silver)
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $35

A word about toned coins - Check out the two coins in our secondary picture. Both are two anna coins. Both are fully uncirculated, with no sign of wear. But they look different, don't they? One coin is toned and the other is full white. The toned coin has picked up color over the years from exposure to impurities in the atmosphere.

Now, which coin is worth more? They both are uncirculated, so they both have the same catalog value. But the full white coin engenders more collector demand. Most collectors shun toned coins. For a catalog value of $20 in fully uncirculated condition, the white coin might sell for $15 retail, while the toned coin might sell for $12. Can you see why coin pricing is an inexact science? Each coin stands on its own merits, not what the catalogs say.

As for me, I like toned coins. But I am the exception, not the rule. In my book, toning adds character to a coin. White coins.pl? Phooey!
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