The British India's One Anna

British India before 1835 comprised three major regions or Presidencies: Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidency. Each Presidency had its own coinage and standards. In 1835, a uniform coinage was introduced across British India. Surprisingly, even though one Anna was a unit of the Rupee (16 Annas = 1 Rupee), it took 72 years for the One Anna coin to be introduced. This coin series is one of the most intriguing issued by British India.

 1904 Nickel Pattern 1 Anna (SW 7.118)

Designed by Captain A. L. C. McCormick, the Calcutta Mint Master, this coin marked a radical departure in design for its time. It was the first 1 Anna denomination, the first copper-nickel coin, the first non-circular coin, and the first to feature text in five languages (English, Urdu, Telugu, Nagari, and Bengali) for general circulation in British India. Notably, it was also the only Edward VII British India coin depicting Edward VII with a crown.

Introduced in 1906, the design remained largely unchanged until the end of British Rule in India, with minor "modernization" adjustments made by A. P. Spencer from the Calcutta mint in 1938. The coin's design influences persisted in the coinage of both Pakistan and India after the end of British rule in 1947. The enduring legacy of this coin makes it a fascinating piece of numismatic history, showcasing innovation and cultural representation during a significant period of coinage evolution in the Indian subcontinent.

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