HALF PICE

1/2 Pice (Half Pice)

I)   Issues under the Company. 1835 – 1858

Specifications

Years of issue – 1853

Metal composition –  Copper 100%

Weight –  50 grains (3.24 gms)

Shape –  Circular

Diameter – 0.84” (21.3 mm)

Edge – unmilled plain

Obv –  Coat of Arms of East India Company – a crossed shield with two supporting lions on either side, and one on the top, flanked by two Union Jacks. A scroll below the shield bore the Company’s motto in Latin ‘AUSP: REG: SEN: ANG’ , which stood for Auspigio Regis et Senatus Anglie, meaning the Auspicious Reign and English Senate. The year of issue was shown on the bottom.

Rev – On the center, the denomination of the coin ‘½ PICE’, is indicated in English only, encircled by a laurel. The legend, “EAST INDIA COMPANY” appears at the top periphery.

Minted at – Calcutta

Km Number – # 464

II)   Issues under the Crown. 1858 – 1947

A.   ‘VICTORIA QUEEN’ (1858 – 1876)

Specifications

Years of issue – 1862

Obv –  Crowned bust of Victoria Queen, with legend ‘VICTORIA’ on left periphery and QUEEN ’ on right periphery.

Rev – An ornamental circular wreath encloses the value of coin ‘½ PICE’ in two lines in English, with ‘INDIA’ and year of issue shown below. Value in Persian is not shown.

Minted at – Calcutta, Madras

Km Number – # 466

            All other specifications same as previous issue.

Note : Mint of issue of the copper coins issued during this period cant be correctly attributed.

B.   ‘VICTORIA EMPRESS’ (1877 – 1901)

Specifications

Years of issue – 1885 to 1901

Obv –  Crowned bust of Empress Victoria, with legend ‘VICTORIA’ on left periphery and ‘EMPRESS’ on right periphery.

Minted at –Calcutta

Km Number – # 484

            All other specifications same as previous issue.

C.   King Edward VII. (1903 - 1910)

i) 100% copper issue

EDWARD HALF PICE - 100% COPPER

Specifications

Years of issue – 1903 to 1906

Metal composition – Copper 100% 

Weight –  50 grains (3.08 to 3.32 gms)

Obv –  Uncrowned head of Edward VII, with legend written in two parts, ‘EDWARD VII’ on left periphery and ‘KING & EMPEROR ’ on right periphery.

Minted at – Calcutta

Km Number – # 499

            All other specifications same as above previous issue.

ii) Bronze issue

EDWARD HALF PICE - BRONZE

Specifications

Years of issue – 1906 to 1910

Metal composition – Bronze (95% Copper + 4% Tin + 1% Zinc) 

Weight –  37.5 grains(2.36 to 2.49 gms)

Minted at – Calcutta

Km Number – # 500

     All other specifications same as above previous issue.

D.   King George V. (1912 - 1936)

Specifications

Years of issue – 1912 to 1936

Obv –  Legend ‘GEORGE  V KING EMPEROR’ around the Crowned bust of King George  V.

Minted at – Calcutta

Km Number – # 510

            All other specifications same as Edward Bronze issue.

Note :

i). Change in the Bronze alloy composition: -- Bronze alloy was used from 1906 for minting low value coins and its composition was -- 95% Copper + 4% Tin + 1% Zinc. But due to scarcity of Tin metal, from 1936, the  composition of Bronze alloy was changed to -- 95.5% Copper + 3% Tin + 1.5% Zinc.

ii). Mint Marks: -

a) Calcutta Mint – No dot present.

E.   King George VI. (1939 - 1947)

Specifications

Years of issue – 1938 to 1940

Obv –  Legend ‘GEORGE  VI KING EMPEROR’ around the Crowned head of King George VI.

Minted at – Bombay(1939), Calcutta(1938 to 1940)

Km Number – # 528

            All other specifications same as previous issue.

Note :

i). Mint Marks: -

a) Bombay Mint – Dot below date.

b) Calcutta Mint – No mint mark.