401

Princely States: Baroda - Sayaji Rao III Gaikwad, pattern rupee struck in lead/zinc, dated VS 19- -,

Currency:INR Category:Coins & Paper Money / Indian Coins - Princely States Start Price:NA Estimated At:50,000.00 - 70,000.00 INR
Princely States: Baroda - Sayaji Rao III Gaikwad, pattern rupee struck in lead/zinc, dated VS 19- -,
Please Note: You must request a bid limit when you register. If you would like to have a large bid limit, you must provide adequate references, or you must have previously established strong credit history with our company. Late registration may result in delayed approval.

Absentee bids can be placed on Classical Numismatic Gallery’s website at https://classicalnumismaticgallery.com till SATURDAY, 6th MAY, 2023, 12:00 PM (NOON) IST
Baroda - Sayaji Rao III Gaikwad, pattern rupee struck in lead/zinc, dated VS 19- -, unlisted in KM and perhaps unique so far, 8.83g. Obv: Profile bust of the Maharaja to right; Marathi legend Shri Sayajirao Ma. Gayakwad in exergue. Rev: In a foliate wreath, a beaded circle with denomination, a scimitar and two digits of the date inscribed within.

Slight weakness in striking on obverse otherwise Extremely fine, Extremely rare.

In 1885-86, the state of Baroda found itself under increased pressure from the imperial government to stop its mint producing hand-struck coins known as 'Babashahi' rupees. To alleviate this situation, the Maharaja Sayaji Rao III decided to mechanise the coinage production and introduce milled or 'Kaldar' rupees. As a precursor to launching mechanised production, several attempts were made to prepare dies and patterns were struck. One of the designs of these patterns, dated VS 1943, was struck modelling the coins on British Indian design with a bust on obverse and a value within a wreath on the reverse. A few strikes of this design are known in copper. However, this is the first time that a pattern in a non-copper metal has come to light and it has the last two digits of the date missing suggesting they were to be put on the final dies using movable punches. As such this is an important 'missing link' in the history of mechanized coin production at Baroda.