Ancient, Celtic, British and World Coins. Historical and Art Medals

India, Victoria, Half-Rupee, 1840, type II, Madras (?), b ww on truncation, rev. 24 berries in wreath (Prid –). Minor graze on Queen’s cheek, otherwise very fine and toned, extremely rare, believed an unpublished variant for the denomination (£200-300)

The initial b, stamped in relief alongside the initials of the designer, was only traced by Pridmore on the rupee (Prid. 60) and quarter-rupee (Prid. 111) denominations of the second type which, although dated 1840, were not introduced until 1850-1. The initial appears to represent the authority of Brevet-Major J.H. Bell, who served as Mint Master at Madras from September 1855 to June 1856, and again from September 1858 until April 1859