Pattern Coins of India
Pattern coins as the name suggest
are typically minted during a major revamp of the coin design. The
reason they are called Pattern coins is that they are minted so that
relevant decissoin makes get to see the actual coin before the design is
adopted and then the coins are put into general circulation. If the
design is rejected, then these coins are not put into circulation and
hence are called pattern coins.
Republic India has 2 distinct set of
pattern coins, the first set was created just after independence and
the second was before the new decimal coinage was adopted in the year
1957.
Apart from these there are some
pattern coins that were stuck for trial purposes but not put into
general circulation. The article here tries to capture all information
related to pattern coins.
Although the authenticity of the
1949 and 1956 Pattern coins is well known, there is very little
information about the other pattern coins with some calling these are
fakes as well. I am not an authority on these coins and anyone who knows
better can help me point out the details.
1949 Pattern Coins by Patrick Brindley:
After the partition there was a need to introduce new coinage for India. During
1946 in India rupee coinage in nickel had been introduced, this
comprising the ½- and ¼-Rupee struck in that year, as well as in 1947 a
1-Rupee coinage, together with additional ½- and ¼-Rupees of a similar
design being struck again with the 1947 date. The initial coinage of
approximately 460 million pieces apparently sufficed until 1950 when new
designs were introduced. No coins were stuck in the year 1948 and 1949.
In 1949 a fine pattern coinage was prepared by artist/engraver Patrick Brindley. It is not known whether final dies were actually prepared for these patterns, or whether the master matrices were used to strike the coins.
Engraver
Brindley explained to William Barrett in Ottawa, Canada, during the
1970s that for various reasons each of the 1949 patterns was rejected,
leading to other designs introduced in the following year. Though all
the 1949 pieces are vastly more appealing than the coins issued in 1950,
for one reason or another -- mostly political -- each was rejected. For
example, the bird of paradise was considered to pertain to Burma, and
the water buffalo to be native to what had become Pakistan.
The
Spink Numismatic Circular of 1954 reports that only four sets of these
charming patterns were struck. A complete set in a custom case was
contained in the Barrett collection during the 1980’s.
This set included a ticket making reference to the 1954 Spink statement
that only four sets had been struck and priced in 1954 at the then
substantial value of £100.
This set was recently sold at Baldwin Auction for GBP 52,000 in 2012.
1956 Pattern Coins
India adopted the decimal system in the coinage in the year 1957. One
Rupee was now divided into 100 Paise. In the run up to this, new coins
needed to be designed. A set pattern coins were stuck in the year 1956
for these designs. The pattern coins have Cents written instead of Paise
that was finally adopted as the Sub-unit of Rupee.
The design of some of these coins was much similar to the one finally
adopted except for the Cent giving way to more Indian Paise. The pattern
coins were of denomination
· 1 Cent [Circular Shape]
· 2 Cents [Triangular] – Type 1
· 2 Cents [Scalloped] – Type 2, Hindi Numeral and English and Hindi Description
· 2 Cent [Scalloped] – Type 3, English Numeral and Hindi Description
· 5 Cent [Square]
· 10 Cents [Scalloped]
· 25 Cent [Circular] [Equalling 1/4th Rupee]
· 50 Cents [Circular] [Equalling ½ Rupee]
· One Rupee [Circular]
· 12 ½ Naya Paise [Square] – to make it equal to old 2 Annas
· 1 9/16 Naya Paise [Circular] – to make it equal to old Pie
· 6 ¼ Naya Paise [Circular] – to make it equal to Old 1 Anna
· 1/4th Naya Paise [Circular]
· 3 1/8th Naya Paise [Square] – to make it equal to Old ½ Anna
· 1/8th Naya Paise [Circular]
1960 One Rupee Pattern Coin:
Apperently there was a pattern coin stuck in the year 1960. The first
one rupee after adoption of decimal system in 1957 was in the year 1962.
This was also released for circulation by Calcutta mint as well as part
of the Definitive Proof / UNC Set of 1962 [As well as 1967 as there was
no coin stuck in that year].
However this One Rupee Pattern coin was stuck apparently in the year
1960 by Bombay Mint. Note the legend says “Sau Naya Paise”, while the
coin is circulation says “Rupees”. Also other coins in circulation from
1957 to 1962 say “Rupaiya ka xxx bhag”.
1962 One Rupee Pattern Coin:
Apperently there was another pattern
proof coin stuck in the year 1962 with security edges by Bombay mint.
In general circulation coins and Proof / UNC Set of 1962 were from
Calcutta Mint.
Some
collectors describe the 1962 1 Re as pattern. However some old timers
also say that limited number of 1962 coin sets were issued with Mumbai 1
Rupee. So its not sure if this is indeed a pattern coin or was struck
in small quantities.
1964 One Rupee Commemorative Pattern Coin:
The first commemorative series was in 1964 on the occasion of Death of
Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The coins were issued in the
denomination of Rs 1 and 50 Paise. The metal used was Nickel.
Apperentaly the mint also stuck pattern coins of denomination in Silver
with milled edges. The weight was around 10.07 g. Now whether this was
actually minted by mint or some individual working in the Mint stuck
this coin out of his own interest and kept it, I don’t know the true
story here. There are few such coins with private collectors. The actual
sliver coin was introducted in the year 1969 on the occasion of Birth
Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi.
1967 20 Paise Pattern Coin:
The 20 paise coin was first introduced in Indian coinage in the year 1968.
As this was being introduced, a 20 Paise pattern coin was stuck in the
year 1967 by Bombay Mint. However the pattern was apprently rejected to
give way to the coin with Lotus design. In the year 1967 there was a
thought process that the coins of India should carry the designs of
National Flower, National Fruit, National Bird and National Animal on
the reverse of 20 paise, 25 paise, 50 paise and One Rupee coins. However
this proposal was dropped and only the 20 paise lotus coin was put into
circulation from 1968 to 1971 after which it was discontinued and coins
with Ashoka Lion emblem were put in Aluminium metal.
Other Coins:
There
are a whole bunch of other coins that are described as pattern, but
there is not general consensus around these. Some of these could be
pattern or what is generally accepted as tailor made by someone in the
mint to someone else outside for some consideration. I do not know the
answers here. If someone has more insights, please feel free to inform /
correct me.
1981 World Food Day:
I
came across this coin supposed to be in Silver, size of Rs 100 coin. It
has “Head” on both sides. This cannot be an error as the Anvil &
Hammer die mounts are different. So it’s just not possible to mount one
die on other side by error. Further all proof coins are manually
inspected, so it’s not possible for such an error to escape.
EXP COINS:
Begning
1982, there are quite a few Pattern coins that are distinctly marked as
“EXP COIN”. The marking is not put on the coin afterwards, but on the
working die itself. As to why this practice began of marking the coin, I
don’t know. My feeling is that this was put so that to clearly
distinguish them as patterns yet to be approved. Maybe the mint
officials felt that incase the die is mounted by mistake on the current
production lot it would have gone unnoticed, or maybe they felt that
marking the coin as such would reduce it numismatic value and these
would not be pilfered as previous such coins were. Whatever may be the
reason there are a whole bunch of these coins. Further it looks like
some of these are manufactured outside of Indian mints, mostly the
Heaton Press in London, possibly to demonstrate the capability and bag
order for minting the coins. As to how these got out and are doing
rounds in the US and UK coin markets is a different story.
Rs 2 Asian Games Experimental Coin of 1982:
The
coin is 28 mm; 8.12 gms with Security edge.with the theme “IX Asian
Games”. Identical to the commemorative circulation issued; however two
horizontal lines with “EXP. and ”COIN” between them for “EXPERIMENTAL
COIN” have been added to both obverse and reverse dies prior to
striking. The 1982 commemorative 2 Rupees were minted only at Mumbai
(Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta). No commemorative coin has been struck
outside India
This example was produced by the Heaton mint as a “sample” or “experimental coin” in order to gain approval.
This was sold for USD 3500 plus 17% in 2012
Rs 1 Experimental Coin of 1983:
The
coin is 25.95 mm; 5.85 gms with Security edge. The first coins in this
new design and size were issued by the Mumbai Mint in the year 1982 [and
is amonst the rarest definitive coins]. The design is identical to the
regular circulation issue; however two horizontal lines were added to
both obverse and reverse dies prior to striking. The Heaton Mint at
Birmingham produced the 1 Rupee coins for circulation in 1984, with the
“H” mint mark. Although not clearly marked with a mint mark, this
example was produced by the Heaton mint as a “sample” or “experimental
coin”, in order to gain approval.
This was sold at USD 2250 plus 17% in 2012
Rs 2 Experimental Coin of 1984:
The
coin is 31 mm; 12.65 gms with Security edge. The obverse displays the
traditional Asoka lion pedestal and the countries name encircled by an
ornate design. The reverse feature the denomination encircled by the
same ornate design as the obverse. Both obverse and reverse dies have
two sets of horizontal lines with “EXP. and ”COIN” between them for
“EXPERIMENTAL COIN” which has been added to the dies prior to striking.
This example was produced by the Heaton mint as a “sample” or
“experimental coin” in order to gain approval and is similar in nature
to a pattern or essay.
This was sold in NYINC for USD 5250 plus 17% in 2012
Rs 1 Experimental Coin of 1985:
I have no clue as to why this coin
was minted and whether this is genuine. Notice the EXP COIN on the
obverse. The wear looks quite a bit, indicating this was from
circulation. However the date does not match. The smaller coins were
introduced in the year 1983 and a die use initially finding its way 2
years later is slightly far fetched.
Rs 10 Experimental coin of 2004
This was supposed to be struck when
the new Rs 10 coin were being designed for the first time in the year
2004. Some how these got surfaced and were available with few select
dealers. I don’t know if these are indeed pattern coins or mear fiction.
Even the strike looks like basic design, the legend, denomination and
other details for a coin are missing.
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