India (Indore) 1/2 Paisa, 1/4 Anna, and 1/2 Anna with Reclining Bull 1886 to 1902

Indore is a huge, bustling city - the 14th largest in India. In the 19th century it was the capital of the Indore State ruled by the Holkar dynasty. Shivaji Rao was the maharaja of Indore from 1886 to 1903. His administration was not considered successful, and his reign ended with his abdication.

The dates on these coins are written in Nagari numerals, and use the Vikram Samvat lunar calendar which is 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Subtract 57 years from the VS date to get the AD date.

These three different denominations can be told apart by their size and weight:

1/2 PAISA: 21 mm diameter, about 3 grams
1/4 ANNA: 25 mm diameter, about 6 grams
1/2 ANNA: 30 mm diameter, about 12 grams

The 1/2 paisa come in two different varieties: with either two lines (adhela paisa) or three lines (dakhela paisa) of writing above the date. Both varieties are worth the same:

1/2 PAISA:
worn: $30 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $60
well preserved: $100
fully uncirculated: $150

The 1/4 and 1/2 anna also come in two different types: with or without a line above the date. (There are also other differences, but this is one easy way to tell the two types apart). The coins with the line were struck with the VS dates 1944, 1945 and 1947, while the coins without the line were struck with the VS dates 1943 and 1944. Both types are worth about the same:

1/4 AND 1/2 ANNA:
worn: $6
average circulated: $20
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $65

Note that the larger 1/4 and 1/2 anna coins are more common and less valuable, while the smaller 1/2 paisa coins are scarcer and more valuable.

Please see our Important Terminology page found at the top left in order to properly interpret the catalog values used on this page.
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