India 1850 to 1860 – Victoria, Divided Legend – Double Mohur
In
1846 the Court of Directors acceded to a request originating with the Calcutta
Mint Master and asked that Mr. Wyon at the Royal Mint should prepare dies for
an Indian gold coinage. Matrices, punches and dies were completed at the end of
1853 and sent to India.
Accompanying the package were proofs in silver and gold. Since William Wyon
died in 1851, it is likely that his son, Leonard Charles Wyon, completed the
dies. Pridmore considers that William prepared the reverse dies and Leonard the
obverse. Modern proofs exist in gold, silver and silver gilt, but even these
are extremely rare. The original proofs appear to have a plain edge whilst
restrikes have a grained edge [1].