The Puddester Collection

Foreword

The second part of the Puddester collection focuses on the uniform coinage of British India –firstly under the East India Company from 1835, and then issues of the Government of India from 1858 until independence in 1947.

As with Part I, the cataloguing follows Pridmore’s order of numbering, with a few exceptions.

Among the 1,181 coins in this sale are some superb treasures from both sides of the 1858 divide. Not least among them is one of the very few currency issue double-mohurs of William IV now extant (lot 908), the exceptional ‘specimen’ mohur which graces the front cover of the catalogue (lot 911) and, as one of many of Fred Pridmore’s coins purchased by the cataloguer for Bob in 1983, his 1854 silver proof mohur (lot 916). Other rarities were gathered from various sales in the 1980s, a superb original 1849 pattern set (lot 954) being just one such.

Of course, pre-dating these are the series of pattern rupees inspired by the original eŠfforts of James Prinsep, some of which incorporated John Flaxman’s classic lion and palm design (lots 1025-31). These conclude with the exceptionally rare 1835-dated Bombay rupee and half-rupee (lots 1033-4), a pair brought together by Dr Archibald Brush’eld (1870-1960) at least 100 years ago, kept together by Pridmore and Bob and, in a nice touch, sharing the same page in this catalogue.

The Government section opens with a superb date run of gold mohurs, from the frozen date 1862 issues through to 1891. Here you’ll ’nd a wonderful original 1862 Proof (lot 1047), as well as two original 1870 Proof 10 Rupees, one of which has only had two owners since 1951 (lots 1063–4). A simply stunning 1860 pattern (lot 1066) heads the extensive rupee series, which also features an exceptionally rare 1863 Proof Pattern (lot 1108); with the quirky dating system employed on Indian coinage at the time, this is the only 1863-dated Indian coin that exists, so a real prize for the connoisseur. Moving into the 20th century, other pieces that are also bound to be highly prized are the unique original 1903 rupee struck in gold (lot 1191), and the ’nest known experimental rupee of 1939 with a security edge (lot 1229), which in itself is the rarest British India currency coin.

As Bob remarks elsewhere, his passion for acquiring coins in top quality is amply režflected throughout the Government series, and especially for the half-rupee, which always was a diŸcult denomination to ’nd in close to mint state back in the day and is even more so now. The half-rupees in this catalogue are undoubtedly the best such assembly ever grouped in one place; they include an 1877 (lot 1240) and a 1906 (lot 1280) in unmatched quality. The smaller silver denominations feature almost all the key dates and are worthy of careful scrutiny, as is the quality of the copper and bronze, while some of the nickel-alloy issues of the 1920s are almost unknown in EF or better condition, as intensively circulated as they were; many of these here are the best that any collector will ’find.

The auction concludes with issues of the princely states authorized under the Native Coinage Act of 1876 – Alwar, Bikanir, Dewas (both branches), Dhar and Sailana – and then the patterns, featuring three original rupees of Edward VII that used to belong to the artist A.P. Spencer (lots 1640–2), a range of original annas from the days of early experiments with alternative coinage metals (lots 1643–8) and, last but certainly not least, a highly important and previously unpublished series of eight patterns of George VI dated 1946 by Patrick Brindley (lots 1649–55).

Bob and most of his contemporaries in the world of collecting British Colonial coins spurn the issues surrounding encapsulation, and with good reason. They prefer their coins to speak for themselves; for the collector to truly appreciate a top-quality coin it should remain in its raw state, to be handled with the care and respect afforded it by past guardians. It is for this reason that Bob and I urge prospective buyers to come and see the coins in the žesh – there is simply no better substitute than your own eyes and a good magnifying glass.

It has been an honour for me to relive a long professional and personal relationship with Bob while cataloguing his unrivalled collection of E.I.C. and British India coins. This is the second of a historic series of auctions that will be references in their own right for decades to come. Those who acquire Puddester coins, whether from this or subsequent sales, will own pieces to be rightly proud of, in the knowledge that they rank among the ’nest, if not the best known. Take the opportunity now – many pieces in this collection only appear in the marketplace once in a generation, if that. Take the same initiative that Bob did and, like him and their previous owners, you will have some wonderful and historic coins to enjoy.
P.J.P-M.