The Six Distinct One-Rupee Coins of King Edward VII: a 1903 Numismatic Investigation

This study explores the six distinct varieties of the one-rupee coin minted in India during 1903 under the reign of King Edward VII. These coins, produced in Calcutta and Bombay, reflect both deliberate minting practices and accidental engraver errors. The six recognized types include: (1) Calcutta-minted rupee with no mint mark, (2) Bombay-minted rupee with a small incuse “B,” (3) Bombay-minted rupee with a small raised “B,” (4) Bombay-minted rupee with a “dot” on the stem of the lotus-bud, (5) Calcutta-minted four dots rupee, and (6) Calcutta-minted three dots rupee. Through examination of historical context, minting practices, literature review, and collector perspectives, this paper demonstrates how these varieties serve as valuable artifacts of British India’s monetary system. The findings illustrate the intersection of political authority, colonial minting practices, and numismatic significance.