The Puddester Collection (Part I)

East India Company, Bombay Presidency, Early coinages: English design, silver Rupee in the name of Charles II (1070-96h/1660-85), 1678, struck in Bombay, mm. quatrefoil, [· by avthorit]y · of · charles · the · second around the rvpee of bombaim, two floral ornaments below, rev. crowned royal arms, king · of · great · britaine · france [· and · ireland] around, edge straight-grained, 11.51g/12h (Prid. 25, this coin illustrated [Sale, lot 451]; Stevens 1.18; KM. Pn4). Struck off-centre and with adjustment marks, otherwise good fine and toned, very rare [certified and graded NGC AU 53] £10,000-£12,000

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

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Collection

F. Pridmore Collection, Part II, Glendining Auction (London), 18-19 October 1982, lot 451, ticket.

Owner’s ticket.

Literature:
Illustrated in Fred Pridmore, The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations...Part 4, India, Volume I, p.150.

Most of the extant lower quality and locally-made 1678 rupees, with their striking inadequacies and flaws, probably only survive as samples sent back to London to demonstrate to authority there the difficulties experienced with the imported stamps and coining engines. It is thought somewhat unlikely that officials in Bombay would have permitted their circulation