In
November 1838 the Calcutta Mint Committee was instructed to begin work on the
preparation of dies showing the new Queen’s head [1].
A matrix
die for the obverse of the rupee had been sent from London to Calcutta early in
1839. However, this die did not allow for the increase in size caused when the
die was multiplied, and the Calcutta mint Engraver (Kasinath
Dass) was therefore instructed to copy it as closely
as possible but to reduce the size to allow for multiplication.
Metallic
impressions were shown to the Mint Committee but were not considered good
enough, and further steps were taken to solve the problem. Uniface
pewter patterns exist and these probably represent Kasinath
Dass’ efforts to produce the reduced sized dies.
Specimens exist for single, half and quarter rupees, with the smaller
denominations being reductions from the rupee[2].
[1]
Letter to the Mint Committee from
Government, dated
I am directed by the Honorable
the President in Council to desire that you will cause dies to be prepared with
the head of the reigning Queen from the specimens forwarded, and submit the
same when ready for the approbation of the Government of India with a view to
the necessary measures being taken to promulgate the new devices for the coin
of India.
Letter to the Mint Master from the Mint
Committee, dated
I am directed by the Mint Committee to
furnish, for your information and guidance, the accompanying copy of a letter
from the Secretary to the Government of India in the Financial Department of
the 28th ultimo, and to request that you will, as soon as
practicable, put in force the orders of the Honble
the President in Council in regard to the new die with the head of Queen
Victoria, and submit specimens from the device, when ready, for the approval of
Government,
[2] Pridmore p10-11