Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 27 13 Jan 2019
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British Coins, Coins, George V, Indian coinage, lead impression of the 'intermodel', as supplied to India for the coinage, (faintly) signed B.M. on truncation, crowned bust of the King l., wearing ermine robes and the collar of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, without legend but neatly (though faintly) incised before the bust ROYAL MINT. LONDON. 19.6.1911., on a wide (80.29mm.) and thick (6.26mm.) planchet, slight curvature to the flan and scuff marked, otherwise very fine
*ex Colin Mackennal Kraay Collection and Baldwin's vault
Being the 'intermodel', the image is enlarged and the trunk of the elephant seems to almost join the links of the collar. When reduced this became the infamous 'pig' (see below).
'The impression ... corresponds to an incuse brass intermodal in the Royal Mint collection which includes the additional descriptions INDIAN "COINAGE" HEAD – 1911. and INTERMEDIATE MODEL. REDUCTION. The preparation of the steel originals is referred to in the Royal Mint Annual Report for 1911 and its arrival in India is confirmed by the Calcutta Mint Report for 1911/1912'. The report (p.4, para. 29) reads, 'The obverse punch for the new coinage bearing the image and superscription of King George V was received from the Royal Mint, London, in July 1911, and in November and December rupees and fractional silver coins were struck and supplied to treasuries so that the first issue should be made to the public on Durbar day, the 12th December. Soon after that date complaints began to be made by various members of the about the shape of the elephant depicted on the insignia of one of the orders on the obverse of the rupee. The dies were slightly altered and in the 1912 coins the figure of the elephant is more distinct and correct in outline'.
($1000-1250)
*ex Colin Mackennal Kraay Collection and Baldwin's vault
Being the 'intermodel', the image is enlarged and the trunk of the elephant seems to almost join the links of the collar. When reduced this became the infamous 'pig' (see below).
'The impression ... corresponds to an incuse brass intermodal in the Royal Mint collection which includes the additional descriptions INDIAN "COINAGE" HEAD – 1911. and INTERMEDIATE MODEL. REDUCTION. The preparation of the steel originals is referred to in the Royal Mint Annual Report for 1911 and its arrival in India is confirmed by the Calcutta Mint Report for 1911/1912'. The report (p.4, para. 29) reads, 'The obverse punch for the new coinage bearing the image and superscription of King George V was received from the Royal Mint, London, in July 1911, and in November and December rupees and fractional silver coins were struck and supplied to treasuries so that the first issue should be made to the public on Durbar day, the 12th December. Soon after that date complaints began to be made by various members of the about the shape of the elephant depicted on the insignia of one of the orders on the obverse of the rupee. The dies were slightly altered and in the 1912 coins the figure of the elephant is more distinct and correct in outline'.
($1000-1250)