britishindiancoins-f566
1\2 Pice East Indian Company 1853 Calcutta Mint AUNC
The Government of India produced a report in 1848 in response to the Court of Directors' request that copper coin be replaced by silver fractions of a rupee. This report mentioned, among other things, the fact that cowrie shells were still used for small purchases in Bengal. After reading the report, the Directors revised their previous position and proposed that a new copper denomination of half a pice has to be added to the coinage for use in Bengal. The Government of India agreed, and coinage began at the Calcutta mint in 1853, the fixed date shown on the coin's obverse.
Year - 1853
Mint - Calcutta
Weight (gm) - 2.16 gms
Size MM - 17.50/18 mm
Materials - Copper
Rarity - S
Category - AUNC
