India › Indian princely states › Indore, ½ Anna - Shivaji Rao Rare Coin

Description

Issuer	Princely state of Indore
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1943-1959 (1886-1902)
Calendar	Vikram Samvat
Value	½ Anna (1⁄32)
Currency	Rupee (1760-1935)
Composition	Copper
Weight	12.5 g
Diameter	30 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized	Yes

This is an exceptionally rare ½ Anna copper coin from the Princely State of Indore, issued during the reign of Maharaja Shivaji Rao. Minted between 1943-1959 (corresponding to 1886-1902 in the Vikram Samvat calendar), this piece represents a fascinating chapter in Indian numismatic history before the country's independence and currency unification. The coin is composed of copper, weighs 12.5 grams, and measures 30mm in diameter, bearing the characteristic marks of milled coinage from this era. As a ½ Anna denomination—equivalent to 1/32 of a Rupee—this was everyday currency in the princely state, making surviving examples particularly valuable today. Collectors prize Indian princely state coins for their historical significance and relative scarcity. Each princely state maintained its own coinage system, creating regional variations that appeal to serious numismatists worldwide. The Indore state coins are especially sought after due to the state's prominence and the limited quantities that have survived. This demonetized piece now exists solely as a historical artifact and collectible treasure. Its age, copper composition, and connection to Maharaja Shivaji Rao's reign make it an outstanding addition to any collection focusing on Indian princely states, pre-independence currency, or world coins.