Item number: A1298

Year: AD 1840

Material: Silver

Size: 24.3 x 24.3 x 1.4 mm

Weight: 5.8 g

Manufactured by: Bombay Mint

Provenance: Teutoburger Münzauktion GmbH 2023

This is a ½ rupee silver coin from AD 1840, minted by the Bombay Mint, which was operated by the British East India Company under its Royal Charter granting a monopoly on trade in India. The British East India Company played a central role in the administration and economic control of India during this period, and the coin represents the influence and power the Company held in the region during the 19th century.

The obverse of the coin is adorned with a wreath, with the upper half of the central area featuring the English inscription “HALF RUPEE.” Below that is the value of the coin in the local Indian script, Urdu, reading “هشت آن” (8 Annas), indicating its exchange value. The outer perimeter of the coin is inscribed with the issuing authority, “EAST INDIA COMPANY,” and the year of issue, “1840,” flanked by floral decorations.

On the reverse side, there is a left-facing portrait of Queen Victoria as a young woman, her hair styled in a ponytail. Surrounding the portrait is the inscription “VICTORIA QUEEN” in English. The design reflects the British East India Company’s control and the monarchy’s symbolic authority over India during the period.

The British East India Company’s involvement in the Indian subcontinent dates to AD 1618. By the 19th century, the Company had become the most powerful entity in the region, representing British imperial interests. However, the Company faced numerous operational challenges. One significant event was the Indian Mutiny of AD 1857, which was sparked by widespread dissatisfaction among the “Sepoys” (native soldiers) hired by the Company, primarily due to grievances related to religion, pay, and treatment. The rebellion grew into a large-scale revolt, which was eventually suppressed. Following the quelling of the uprising, the British government took over the administration of India from the Company, marking the end of the Company’s direct rule.

As a result of this transition, Queen Victoria was granted the title of “Empress of India” in AD 1876, reflecting the British monarchy’s formalisation of its control over the Indian subcontinent. From this point forward, any British ruler depicted on Indian coins would bear the title “Emperor/Empress” rather than “King/Queen,” symbolising the imperial nature of British rule in India.

物件編號: A1298

年代: 公元 1840 年

材質: 銀

尺寸: 24.3 x 24.3 x 1.4 mm

重量: 5.8 g

製造地: 孟買造幣廠

來源: 條頓堡錢幣拍賣 2023

這是一枚公元1840年，得到皇家特許狀壟斷印度貿易的英國東印度公司，以其營運的孟買造幣廠生產的½ 盧比銀幣。

錢幣正面以一道桂冠作為裝飾，正中央的上半部以英文標示面額「HALF RUPEE」(半盧比)，下面則以印度本地的烏爾都文標示跟銅幣的兌換面額「هشت آن」(8安納)。錢幣外圍以英文標示發行者「EAST INDIA COMPANY」(東印度公司) 和兩側為花飾裝扮的發行年份「1840」。錢幣背面則是將頭髮整理成馬尾的維多利亞女王少女左側肖像，周圍以英文鐫刻「VICTORIA QUEEN」(維多利亞女王)。

英國東印度公司在南亞次大陸的經略能追溯到公元1618年。到了公元19世紀，東印度公司代表英國已經成為該地區最有力量的角色，然而公司也面臨到諸多經營上的困境。尤其是公元1857年，公司在印度當地聘雇稱為「西帕依」本土士兵，因為宗教和待遇等因素的不滿爆發大規模叛亂。叛亂被平息之後，英國政府從公司手上接過殖民地管轄權，公元1876年，維多利亞女王也獲得英國首任「印度女皇帝」頭銜。自此之後印度鑄造的錢幣若出現英國統治者，其頭銜不再是「國王/女王」而是「皇帝/女皇帝」。