Rare Half Rupee 1899 Queen Victoria Empress Calcutta Mint British India Silver Coin # A179

Rare silver Half Rupee of British India dated 1899, issued during the reign of Queen Victoria as Empress of India. The obverse carries the crowned diademed bust of the Queen facing left with the legend “VICTORIA EMPRESS”, while the reverse shows “HALF RUPEE / INDIA / 1899” within an ornate floral wreath.

• Denomination: Half Rupee (8 Annas)
• Year: 1899, Queen Victoria Empress series
• Mint: Calcutta (no mint mark below the date)
• Metal: Silver, approximately 0.917 fineness
• Diameter: about 25.3 mm as measured from the scan
• Condition: Fine, with even circulation wear and a few surface hairlines; legends and date fully legible

The images show the actual item the buyer will receive.

Step back in time to the height of the British Raj with this genuine 1899 Half Rupee silver coin, struck during the latter years of Queen Victoria’s historic reign as Empress of India. Meticulously produced at the prestigious Calcutta Mint, this 8 Annas piece is composed of high-grade .917 silver and measures approximately 25.3 mm in diameter. The obverse showcases the regal, crowned bust of Queen Victoria, while the reverse displays the denomination and year gracefully framed by an intricate floral wreath.

Graded in Fine condition, this piece displays heavy, authentic circulation wear that speaks volumes of its journey through the bustling marketplaces of colonial India over a century ago, yet its date and royal inscriptions remain completely legible. Numismatists and history enthusiasts alike are drawn to nineteenth-century British Indian coinage for its exquisite Victorian artistry and tangible connection to a bygone imperial era. Whether you are expanding a comprehensive South Asian type set or searching for a distinct historical conversation piece, this authentic Calcutta Mint striking is a magnificent addition to any growing cabinet of world treasures. Please note that the accompanying high-resolution scans display the exact piece you will receive.