The Uniform Coinage of India, British Imperial Period: Patterns, George VI, uniface cupro-nickel Pattern 2 Annas, 1942, Calcutta (?), unsigned, on a 12-sided scalloped flan, obv. blank, rev. 2 annas above do ana in Urdu between two lotus flowers, india above, date below, no mint-mark, edge plain, 17.3mm, 1.94g (Prid. –; SW –; KM. –). Partially toned, otherwise brilliant mint state, of the highest rarity and previously unknown £4,000-£5,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Puddester Collection.

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Owner’s envelope, “12 sided quite diff. pattern”.

XRF analysis shows the metal content as 78% copper, 20% nickel, with other trace elements. Interestingly, this coin also displays one clear relief diamond or ‘pyramis’ within the loop of the 2 in the value (see footnote to Lot 1582). This exceptional piece, previously entirely unknown to the present generation of numismatists, was undoubtedly conceived at the time that the production of 2, 1 and half-annas in their current cupro-nickel size and guise was being questioned in early 1942, because stocks of nickel were urgently required for munitions. In the event, the sizes of the three denominations were left unaltered, but their content changed to 79% copper, 20% zinc and 1% nickel