Can someone identify this coin for me, please.
It appears to be solid silver and has a Maltese cross mark to its side.
It is approx. 18mm diameter and 3mm thick, weighing 12g.
It's had a small chunk filed out of its edge at some time.
Many thanks.
This is a silver rupee from India. There are hundreds of varieties, and I don't recognize this one offhand, but hopefully someone will be able to attribute it more fully soon. The mark on the edge is a "test mark" where it was punched by a shopkeeper to make sure it was solid silver. The top photo should be rotated 180 degrees.
It so happens i have been studying old Indian coins recently.
I think your coin looks like this 1/2 rupee from British Empire Bombay Presidency https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces56279.html
you coin has the "privy mark #6" illustrated in the notes.
Using your info, found a match in Krause's "South Asian Coins and Paper Money."
The full rupee corresponding to this coin and the half rupee you located is KM 212.2, Bombay Presidency, Shah Alam II, Bombay mint, as you say privy mark 6.
Just to be extra clear, this coin is, by weight and size, a full rupee.
As for the date, I think it's off the flan on this one. It appears from Krause that many of these coins are dated AH --46, in other words AH 1146 (AD 1733) but this would be a frozen date and therefore inaccurate.
Shah Alam II ruled from 1760-1806, so the coin would need to be in this range.
Thank you both, Seeker 55 and Mr Midnight.
I've had the coin for many years and have always wondered what it was! Can't believe what a fantastic site this is and how helpful you are!
