Proclamation Coins

[Steveqld]

they used to snip or clip these coins
to ensure that they were sliver

the chop marks in most of the old coins also served the same purpose - to let others know that the coin was genuine

steve - has the coin been sort of clipped in the same spot and then this shows up on both sides?

Yes.  Same spot on opposite sides. like it was cut with scissors.  If it is a chop mark then it's the faintest I've ever seen.

[trout]

Regardless of the value or unreadability of these coins they ARE an important part of Australia's Numismatic history and well worth having in anyone's collection.
Nice coin Mate , Keep up the good work :good:

When I finally work out how to save my shekels I would like to get one of them Indian Mohur Gold coins, pretty much the same as the silver jobbies but made of gold :ok:

[markn]

how the hell do you tell which is the obverse on these?
I have a couple of these and I am struggling to work out which way up they are supposed to be let alone which side is which :angel:

It's usually the side with the regnal year on it.  Learn some Arabic numerals and you'll be able to spot them.  On this coin it's the big characters that look like "19", which actually stand for 19.  A lot of these proclamation era rupees were struck with what's known as a frozen regnal year.  Which basically means the date on them didn't change regardless of the actual year they were minted.

Usually the actual date (the year the issuing monarch came into power) is on the other side.  I don't see it on this one though so it's either off the flan (which is common) or it's a design that didn't include the date.

Disclaimer: I haven't had my coffee yet so if this is all wrong then it's your fault not mine. :angel:

[Robster]

Reverse, Obverse, back, front or otherwise it is a beautiful thing.!!

[Steveqld]

This link from Museum Victoria has a bit more info about it.  Mine seems to show the bead above the 2 dots in the first line of the obverse so would appear to be the Calcutta Mint.

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/72953/coin-1-rupee-bengal-india-1793

[trout]

This link from Museum Victoria has a bit more info about it.  Mine seems to show the bead above the 2 dots in the first line of the obverse so would appear to be the Calcutta Mint.

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/72953/coin-1-rupee-bengal-india-1793

Great reference Mate , Thank you :good:

[robbiegal]

I picked this up several years ago but never did confirm it was proclamation coinage.  It does however appear to be the version pictured by Andrew Crellin in his book  "The coinage of Colonial Australia".  If so then that would make it Bengal Presidency 1793 Silver Rupee, Calcutta Mint.  Relatively common in circulated condition.

Also not sure if that is some sort of chop mark at 5 o'clock on the reverse as it is matched by a similar mark at 7 o'clock on the obverse (hope I got them right)

maybe Andrew may come in to comment on your coin
he seems to pop in at times

[trout]

I am pretty sure that Markn has done a lot of work regarding Proclamation and colonial coins and "Knows His Apples" so to speak :angel:

[Unicorn]

Yes Trout, :i_agree:, Mark definately knows a Golden Delicious from a Granny Smith!!!

Ohhh .... and PPH ..... she'd know the .....Pink Ladies!!!

[markn]

maybe Andrew may come in to comment on your coin
he seems to pop in at times

I am sure Andrew would have something to add.

I've just looked this up in our Pridmore.  He says the obverse is the opposite to what I said.  

Milled Rupees of this type were minted in four distinct phases,1790,  1792/3, 1793, and 1819.  The one pictured here is from the 1793 minting.  This is shown by the dot above the left most beads on the obverse and also shows it was minted in Calcutta. The 1790 issue had rim denticles on both sides. The 1792/3 minting had no denticles and no mint mark dot while the 1819 minting has the dot but also has a an additional floral mark on the obverse that is not present on this coin.  So, therefore it's a 1793 coin.  All four types were machine struck, and other mints where this coin was made were Dacca and Patna.

The legend on the obverse (the side WITHOUT the 19 on it) translates to:

"Defender of the religion of Muhammad.  Shah Alam. Emperor.  Shadow of the divine favour, put his stamp on the seven climes."

The legend on the reverse (the side WITH the 19 on it) translates to:

"Struck at Murshidabad in year 19 of this reign of tranquil prosperity"

Murshidabad is also known as Calcutta.

The coin was specified to be 179 2/3 grains in mass and 97 11/12ths silver fineness.  The date on the obverse was omitted from the design intentionally.

[robbiegal]

I am pretty sure that Markn has done a lot of work regarding Proclamation and colonial coins and "Knows His Apples" so to speak :angel:

yeah true
but Steve posted that Andrew has written a book about aussie colonials, so his expertise would also be very valuable information

[trout]

I am pretty sure that Markn has done a lot of work regarding Proclamation and colonial coins and "Knows His Apples" so to speak :angel:

yeah true
but Steve posted that Andrew has written a book about aussie colonials, so his expertise would also be very valuable information

Andrew was logged on earlier today :ok:
While you are here Mark, is that penny I post a colonial coin or just some old pommy copper?

[markn]

While you are here Mark, is that penny I post a colonial coin or just some old pommy copper?

The 1806 coin?  I don't recall if it was a penny/halfpenny/farthing.  In any event I wouldn't have a problem calling it a colonial coin.

[trout]

While you are here Mark, is that penny I post a colonial coin or just some old pommy copper?

The 1806 coin?  I don't recall if it was a penny/halfpenny/farthing.  In any event I wouldn't have a problem calling it a colonial coin.

Thanks Mate ill add it to the rest of them :dance2:
It is a phat penny and weighs in at 18.4g.:angel:

[Steveqld]

While you are here Mark, is that penny I post a colonial coin or just some old pommy copper?

The 1806 coin?  I don't recall if it was a penny/halfpenny/farthing.  In any event I wouldn't have a problem calling it a colonial coin.

I've always been a bit confused about what constituted a "Proclamation coin" as I've interpreted it strictly as those appearing in the Table of Specie of the 19/11/1800 proclamation itself.  Undoubtedly there were other coins circulating but not mentioned and probably reflects Marks terminology of a "colonial coin" Vs a "Proclamation coin".  Examples are the 1987 sixpence, 1799 halfpenny and the 1797 twopence.

None of these appear in the proclamation but a footnote in McDonalds recognizes that "most collectors include related denominations".

Just my opinion but a proclamation coin can only be one specifically mentioned in King's proclamation but others also circulating without being officially recognized may be "colonial coinage".  Also the proclamation states "I have judged it most expedient herewith to publish the following table of all the specie legally circulating in the Colony...." (my emphasis).  Hence if the denomination does not appear in the proclamation can it be said that the denomination was not "legally circulating".

Jeez, a colonial Australian not obeying the law, what type of person did they send out here anyway?