The Puddester Collection (Part II)

The Uniform Coinage of India, British Imperial Period: Patterns, Edward VII, original nickel Pattern Proof Anna, 1904, Calcutta, unsigned [presumably by F.K. Wezel], Imperial crown above ornate script es vis-à-vis around central hole, indian empire and date around, rev. palm-tree at left of central hole from which sun rays emanate, anna above, 1 to right, value in Urdu below, edge plain, 21.2mm, 3.20g/12h (Prid. 1056 [Sale, lot 201]; SW 7.120; KM. Pn73; cf. Fore II, 753 [= BSJ 36, 117]). Trifling spots on obverse, otherwise brilliant and virtually as struck, extremely rare £3,000-£4,000

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

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Taisei/Baldwin/Gillio Auction 29 (Singapore), 2 September 1999, lot 480.

Owner’s ticket and envelope, “Beautiful coin”.

XRF analysis shows the metal content as 90% nickel, 9% light elements, with traces of cobalt, copper and iron. Although experimentation in coining patterns in nickel had been undertaken at the Bombay mint at the end of the 19th century, it was not until 1903 that the practice was restarted, and then at Calcutta. It had been suggested that the new coin, to be valued at 1 anna (a denomination not then in circulation), should have a special distinguishing feature to distinguish it from the smaller silver coins then in use, and a central perforation or an unusual shape was suggested. Of the two choices, the government of the day preferred a perforated coin, but this would preclude a successful portrayal of the monarch, as evidenced by the Andaman Islands rupee tokens of the 1860s. To overcome this, the obverse design was modelled upon the letter E (Edward), and several variants were made between 1903 and 1905. The preferred choice (Prid. 1057: not in this collection) was sent to England in March 1905 for royal approval. Edward objected to the omission of his effigy and suggested the central perforation be moved to accommodate it. The technical difficulties of making such a coin delayed any speedy prospect of a new anna being issued. The Mint Master at Calcutta, Capt A.L.C. McCormick, CIE, noted that the King had not expressed a wish for a perforated coin, only that his image be on it. He accordingly sent to London drawings for the obverse of a coin with a scalloped edge, together with some scalloped nickel blanks, the drawings being copied from the Straits Settlements quarter-cent, the matrix for which was held by the Calcutta mint. These met with favour and McCormick set to work, trialling flans with differing numbers of scallops; while in temporary charge at the Bombay mint in October and November 1906, he undertook an experimental coinage of 12-sided cupro-nickel annas (Prid. 925, but see footnote to Lot 1646). Specimens were sent to London for royal approval, which was granted on 31 January 1907