India 1835 to 1840 – William IV – Rupee Pattern 1835 Type 2

The final pattern issued in March 1835, showed the bust of the King on the obverse and the lion and palm on the reverse. This design was also submitted in gold as a pattern for a double mohur [1] (see above). In April the Governor General replied that he had selected for the obverse the King’s head and for the reverse the legend ‘East India Company’ with the value in English, Persian and Nagri and a lotus flower and myrtle wreath. It was also decided at this time that they would not wait for matrix dies to be sent from England and also that the edge of the new coin would be milled [2].

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[1] Pridmore p5-6, 45

[2] Bengal Consultations. IOR P/162/86, April 1835, No 22.

Letter from Government to Calcutta Mint Committee dated 8^th April 1835

Your letter of 31^st ultimo has been duly submitted to the Honorable the Governor General in Council with the various specimens of proposed new coinage accompanying it.

I am directed to inform you that the rupee having on one side the device of His Majesty’s head, and on the reverse the inscription ‘East India Company’ together with the nominal value of the coin in English, Persian and Nagree, and the representation of a lotus flower and myrtle wreath, has been approved by the Governor General in Council as the model for the future coinage of the rupee of British India. Your suggestion for introducing on this coin the straight milling of the English currency is also approved and sanctioned.

The Governor General in Council does not contemplate suspending the introduction of the new device until matrix dies can be obtained from England. You will therefore be pleased to communicate with the Madras, Bombay and Saugor mints with the view of effecting a change in the rupee currency throughout British India with all convenient expedition.

It will be of course necessary as subservient to this measure to change the rupee of account on the general books of this Presidency as suggested by you. The Governor General in Council on the adoption of the new unit approves of the conversion of all sicca values and amounts into it at the intrinsic par of 16/15.

I am directed to call for further reports and suggestions from you as to a correspondent change in the gold and copper currency of British India, which it will be advisable to submit at your earliest convenience.