The Puddester Collection (Part I)

East India Company, Bengal Presidency, Calcutta Mint: Introduction of Steam, silver Proof Rupee in the name of ‘Shah ‘Alam II (1173-1221h/1759-1806), type A/II, no hegira date, frozen regnal yr 19 [1830], naming Murshidabad, sikka zad bar haft kishwar saya fazl ilah hami din muhammad shah alam badshah [defender of the religion of Muhammad, Shah ‘Alam emperor, shadow of the divine favour, put his stamp on the seven climes], star at left, rev. zarb murshidabad sanah 19 julus maimanat manus [struck at Murshidabad in the 19th year of his reign of tranquil prosperity], no crescent at top left, plain borders, edge plain, 12.45g/12h (Prid. 178 [Sale, lot 620]; Stevens 9.6; KM. 117). Virtually as struck, rich blue-gold tone, extremely rare [certified and graded NGC PF 64] £1,500-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Puddester Collection.

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F. Pridmore Collection, Part II, Glendining Auction (London), 18-19 October 1982, lot 620 (part), ticket
Bt Spink (London) May 1983, ticket.

Owner’s ticket.

On 6 June 1830 a recommendation was made to the Calcutta government that coins issued from the new mint should have plain edges. From this it would appear that specimens of rupees and smaller denominations with straight-grained (as per the previous coinage) and plain edges had already been submitted for approval, and the latter selected. The currency coins (see previous lot) entered circulation in January 1831