1916 British India One Rupee George V Emperor
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Estimated value
$15 - $65Rarity
Ordinary(3/10)Category
Rare Coins & CurrencyEra
1916Origin
🇮🇳 IndiaArtist / Creator
Edgar Bertram MackennalAuthenticity
1916 BRITISH INDIA ONE RUPEE GEORGE V EMPEROR: IDENTIFICATION
A .917 fine silver One Rupee coin featuring the crowned left-facing bust of King George V in robes of state. The reverse displays the denomination, country, and date '1916' within a floral scroll border of lotus, rose, thistle, and shamrock flowers, representing the British Empire's components. The strike appears sharp on the high points of the crown and the floral details of the reverse.
Compare with other coins in the archive: 1884 Great Britain Queen Victoria 'Bun Head' Farthing, 1977 Eisenhower Dollar, 1970 Netherlands 10 Gulden Silver Coin 'Nederland Herrijst' 25th Anniversary of Liberation.
CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS
Where This Object Echoes
The floral wreath on the reverse utilizes the emblem of the United Kingdom, combining symbols of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Traditional Indian jewelry making, where high-purity silver rupees were frequently melted or soldered to create dowry necklaces and belts.
Meaning Through Time
A stable unit of colonial commerce used across the Indian subcontinent.
A collectible relic of the British Raj and a tangible investment in silver bullion.
NUMISMATIC HISTORY
NUMISMATIC NOTES
The 1916 rupee contains 10.78 grams of fine silver, a standard that remained consistent for British Indian rupees until the silver content was reduced to 50% in 1940.
Small dot mint marks under the scroll on the reverse denote the Bombay mint, while the absence of a mark usually indicates Calcutta.
SCARCITY
Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.
Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 4 coins items at rarity 3 or higher.
Typical Characteristics
- Moderate production runs
- Common at estate sales
- Entry-level collectibles
Confidence Factors
- Authentic strike characteristics on the denticles and legends
- Correct surface texture and luster for .917 silver composition
- Mass-produced date with low likelihood of high-end forgery
NUMISMATIST'S ASSESSMENT
Numismatist
The piece shows all diagnostic features of an authentic 1916 Bombay or Calcutta strike with original luster, though a precise MS grade requires seeing surface hairlines under 10x magnification.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Distinct Mackennal initials (B.M.) usually found on the truncation of the neck (though obscured by angle).
- 2Standardized crown profile and robe detail consistent with 1911-1922 series.
- 3Lustrous surface indicates a 'Choice' specimen for the date.
- 4Reverse lettering 'ONE RUPEE INDIA 1916' is accurately spaced and struck.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •Presence of Persian script on the reverse should be verified for 'Rupee-e-Hind' translation accuracy.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Confirm weight on a digital scale to 11.66g.
- →Measure diameter to ensure 30.6mm specification.
- →Check for a small 'dot' or 'incuse dot' under the bottom lotus flower to identify the mint.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
The coin exhibits near-complete luster and very little friction on the high points of George V's portrait; the reverse floral scrolls are crisp, warranting an About Uncirculated to Mint State grade.
Condition
The high points of the crown and the shoulder of the King show minimal wear, suggesting the coin has seen very limited circulation. The rim is sharp and free of significant contact marks or 'bag marks'.
NUMISMATIC VALUATION
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Who buys this
World silver coin collectors and specialist British Empire numismatists.
What increases value
- •Luster quality and presence of original mint bloom
- •Absence of cleaning or surface manipulation
- •Sharpness of the 'pearls' on the crown
What lowers value
- •Any hidden surface cleaning not visible in the photo
- •Commonality of the 1916 date relative to scarcer 1911 or 1921 issues
What makes top-tier examples
- •Full 'cartwheel' luster effect
- •No contact marks on the cheek of the portrait
- •Official professional grading (NGC/PCGS) at MS-63 or higher
Grade & condition
Surface marks, luster preservation, and strike intensity on the King's features and reverse floral motifs.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN
How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.
What Aligned
- User stated 'India' - coin is a 1916 British India One Rupee.
- User claimed 'Mint' condition - visual evidence of luster and lack of wear supports an AU-MS grade range.
SIMILAR CURIOSITIES
1884 Great Britain Queen Victoria 'Bun Head' Farthing
Netherlands Guilder Mixed Era Coin Set in Commemorative Tin
1999 Netherlands 10 Gulden 'Euro-Transition' Silver Coin
1977 Eisenhower Dollar
1970 Netherlands 10 Gulden Silver Coin 'Nederland Herrijst' 25th Anniversary of Liberation
Netherlands 1987 50 Gulden Silver Coin 'Juliana & Bernhard'
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