The Puddester Collection (Part I)

East India Company, Madras Presidency, Reformation 1807-18, silver Half-Pagoda, second issue, type I/XI, nine-tiered Gopuram of a temple flanked by 9 stars either side, surrounded by ribbon inscribed half pagoda ·, nim hun phuli [Half a star pagoda], large letters, buckle unshaded, top of Gopuram points to d of pagoda, rev. Vishnu holding sword, rising from a lotus flower, surrounded by three concentric circles of pellets, single pellet below Vishnu’s feet, flanked by 16 pellets on left and 14 pellets on right, legend in Tamil and Telugu, arai pu vara kun ara pu vara hun [Half a star pagoda], no stop, 21.01g/12h (Prid. 169 [Sale, lot 371]; Stevens 3.121; Dav. 247; KM. 353). Characteristic weakness of the obverse die at 11 o’clock where traces of the Spanish 8 Réales undertype are clearly visible, otherwise extremely fine and sharply struck, attractive dark olive tone with underlying mint bloom, very rare [certified and graded NGC MS 63]
£1,000-£1,500

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

View
Collection

‘Papillon’ Collection, Bonhams Auction (London), 15 December 1999, lot 290, recté Prid. 169.

Owner’s ticket.

For a coin from the same dies in inferior condition but exhibiting the same obverse weakness, see Baldwin 50, lot 742