In
January 1835 several sketches for the proposed coinage were shown to Bentinck [1]. He
selected that of Flaxman’s lion as a device for the obverse [2],
dies were prepared and specimens submitted on 25th of March 1835 [3]
[1]
Bengal Consultations. IOR P/162/86, January 1835, No 5
Letter from the Mint Master (Saunders)
and Assay Master (Prinsep) to The Mint Committee, dated 2nd January
1834 (mistake for 1835).
We have the honor to acknowledge receipt
of your secretary’s letter dated the 1st ultimo forwarding the
orders of Government of the 25th November on the subject of the new
coinage.
As the Right Honorable the Governor
General of India in Council approves generally of the change of device, and
directs measures be taken for its immediate adoption, we conclude that the size
of the new coin is to remain as suggested i.e. one tenth of a foot in diameter.
This point is essential for determination in the first instance as the ingot
moulds and the cutting and stamping apparatus must be refitted accordingly.
With regard to the incongruity of a
Latin inscription on one side of the coin opposed to an English legend on the
other, we beg to say that such is the case on all the colonial coins of England
that bear his Majesty’s effigy. The advantage of the Latin language for
expressing the King’s titles is obvious, and it is impossible to bring a
literal English translation within the same compass.
We have however caused to be prepared
the accompanying engravings of the head with the simple expression ‘William the
fourth King’ to enable the Government to judge of the appearance and effect. We
also beg leave to submit a few emblematical designs altho’ we are still of
opinion that this class of device is by no means so appropriate as a head for
the obverse of the Indian coin, while it is of course more easy to imitate and
the imitation less easily detected than that of the features of a well marked countenance.
We have before suggested that the gold
coin might with propriety bear an emblematical device of this description on
the reverse, in lieu of the wreath and simple designation destined for the
silver and copper coins; that the gold mohur being very little used in
circulation might be selected as a kind of medal to exhibit the most highly
wrought specimen of the die engraver’s art in our Indian Mints.
For the copper coin we had thought
ourselves in some measure prepared, having in store the matrices of the
Company’s arms engraved for the double and single pice, and the pie piece of
Bombay last year. The design proposed for this coin in Mr Prinsep’s note of the
1st October 1833 bore these arms on the obverse and a simple wreath
and designation on the reverse.
The engraved specimen (of which we
enclose a proof) bore also the name of the Governor General of the time being,
but that may be omitted at pleasure. No die has as yet been cut of this device.
Indeed the only dies at present available are:
1.
Large matrix of the head of King William IV
2.
Smaller ditto – adapted for the half rupee
3.
Large wreath and reverse for the rupee
4.
Small ditto for the half rupee
5.
Three sized dies of the Honorable Company’s Arms
6.
for the copper coinage. The Bombay reverse of a balance
7.
with the words
(Adal, justice) is inelegant and poor in execution
Should the Right Honorable the Governor
General of India in Council desire to have any of the devices now submitted (or
that of the Lion of Flaxman in Captain Forbes’ possession) cut on steel, they
may immediately be put in hand. We have thought it better meanwhile to transmit
them in outline as Kasinath, the engraver, is fully
employed and the delay of executing so many samples would be very considerable.
List of Specimens forwarded
Three designs in pencil by Mr James
Atkinson prepared some years ago
Eight designs in outline by Mr James
Prinsep
1.
Britannia from the English penny
2.
A lion from an antique Greek coin
3.
An elephant (this device is adopted on the coins of Ceylon)
4.
A ship, emblematic of British commerce
5.
A British senator, between a Hindu and a Musselmun presenting the charter
6.
An emblematical figure of justice and plenty
7.
Typical figures of Britannia and
8.
The banian tree (Ficus Indica) taken
from the seal of the Asiatic Society of London
9.
The finely sculptured lion of Flaxman’s large medallic die
reduced to the mentions of the new rupee is also submitted
[2]
Bengal Consultations. IOR P/162/86, January 1835, No 18.
Letter to the Mint Committee From Government, dated
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your
officiating secretary’s letter dated the 5th instant with its
enclosures, and in reply to state that of the devices furnished the Governor
General in Council is disposed to give the preference to the lion device
designed by the late Mr Flaxman which seems to him to be extremely spirited and
beautiful.
I am accordingly directed to desire that your Committee
will immediately cause dies of that device to be prepared, it being the opinion
of His Lordship in Council that this stamp will be the fittest for the obverse
of the proposed new currency. The die of the reverse already prepared is
perfectly satisfactory, and the size proposed for the new coin having been
approved, the cutting and stamping machinery must be adjusted to the new
dimensions.
The dies of the King’s head that have been prepared may be
kept for eventual use in case of any change being hereafter determined upon.
His Lordship in Council has not yet finally determined upon
the device that shall be put upon the gold and copper coin. The whole question
is still under his consideration: at present it is only necessary to furnish
you with instructions as to what dies shall immediately be put in hand.
The designs which accompanied your officiating secretary’s
letter are herewith returned.
[3]
Bengal Consultations. IOR P/162/86, March 1835, No 28
Letter from Saunders (Mint Master) to
Government, dated
In compliance with the orders of
Government communicated in your letter of 17th January, I have the
honor to submit 2 specimens of coin having the device of Flaxman’s lion on the
face and the wreath and inscription already approved of, for the rupee coin, on
the reverse.
These pieces have not been struck in
collars and therefore are less perfectly got up than if struck at the regular
coining presses, but they are sufficiently well executed to enable Government
to judge of the devices…