store-logo

TBNS Jewels

Categories

Cart

Account

Numismatic Accessories About Us Blog
Menu
Numismatic Accessories About Us Blog
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. A Collector’s Guide to British India Silver Coins (1835–1945)

A Collector’s Guide to British India Silver Coins (1835–1945)

25 Aug 2026
TBNS JEWELS • COLLECTOR'S CORNER

A Collector’s Guide to British India Silver Coins (1835–1945)

Published by TBNS Jewels Editorial Team  |  Category: Numismatics & Heritage Silver

British India silver coinage represents one of the most fascinating chapters in modern numismatic history. Minted between 1835 and 1945, these coins bridge over a century of artistic evolution, imperial history, and silver metallurgy.

At TBNS Jewels, we appreciate vintage silver not only for its historical significance but also for its enduring craft and purity. Whether you are an avid coin collector, an investor in vintage bullion, or a heritage enthusiast, having a comprehensive year-by-year checklist is essential for identifying key dates and completing your set.

Below, we have compiled the definitive minting reference guide for 1 Rupee, Half Rupee, Quarter Rupee, and One-Eighth Rupee silver coins issued across five royal reigns: King William IV, Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, and King George VI.

Key Numismatic Eras Covered:

William IV (1835): The iconic unified coinage introduction.
Victoria Queen & Empress (1840–1901): Transition from East India Company governance to direct British Crown rule.
Edward VII, George V & George VI (1903–1945): 20th-century coinage leading up to India's independence.

1. One Rupee Silver Coins (1835–1945)

The standard One Rupee silver coin was the cornerstone of the monetary system in British India. Minted initially under King William IV and running through King George VI, these coins offer a rich variety of portraits, die varieties (such as continuous vs. divided legends), and regal crowns.

S.No. Monarch / Design Variety Year of Issue
1 William IV 1835
2 Victoria Queen (Continuous Legend) 1840
3 Victoria Queen (Divided / Break Legend) 1840
4 Victoria Queen 1862
5 Victoria Queen 1874
6 Victoria Queen 1875
7 Victoria Queen 1876
8 Victoria Empress 1877
9 Victoria Empress 1878
10 Victoria Empress 1879
11 Victoria Empress 1880
12 Victoria Empress 1881
13 Victoria Empress 1882
14 Victoria Empress 1883
15 Victoria Empress 1884
16 Victoria Empress 1885
17 Victoria Empress 1886
18 Victoria Empress 1887
19 Victoria Empress 1888
20 Victoria Empress 1889
21 Victoria Empress 1890
22 Victoria Empress 1891
23 Victoria Empress 1892
24 Victoria Empress 1893
25 Victoria Empress 1897
26 Victoria Empress 1898
27 Victoria Empress 1900
28 Victoria Empress 1901
29 Edward VII 1903
30 Edward VII 1904
31 Edward VII 1905
32 Edward VII 1906
33 Edward VII 1907
34 Edward VII 1908
35 Edward VII 1909
36 Edward VII 1910
37 George V 1911
38 George V 1912
39 George V 1913
40 George V 1914
41 George V 1915
42 George V 1916
43 George V 1917
44 George V 1918
45 George V 1919
46 George V 1920
47 George V 1921
48 George V 1922
49 George VI 1938
50 George VI 1939
51 George VI 1940
52 George VI 1941
53 George VI 1942
54 George VI 1943
55 George VI 1944
56 George VI 1945

2. Half Rupee (1/2 Rupee) Silver Coins (1835–1945)

Fractional silver coins were widely circulated for everyday commerce. The Half Rupee series features intricate reverse floral borders and monarch portraits matching the full rupee issues.

S.No. Monarch / Design Variety Year of Issue
1 William IV 1835
2 Victoria Queen (Continuous Legend) 1840
3 Victoria Queen (Divided / Break Legend) 1840
4 Victoria Queen 1862
5 Victoria Queen 1874
6 Victoria Queen 1875
7 Victoria Queen 1876
8 Victoria Empress 1877
9 Victoria Empress 1878
10 Victoria Empress 1879
11 Victoria Empress 1880
12 Victoria Empress 1881
13 Victoria Empress 1882
14 Victoria Empress 1883
15 Victoria Empress 1884
16 Victoria Empress 1885
17 Victoria Empress 1886
18 Victoria Empress 1887
19 Victoria Empress 1888
20 Victoria Empress 1889
21 Victoria Empress 1892
22 Victoria Empress 1893
23 Victoria Empress 1894
24 Victoria Empress 1896
25 Victoria Empress 1897
26 Victoria Empress 1898
27 Victoria Empress 1899
28 Edward VII 1905
29 Edward VII 1906
30 Edward VII 1907
31 Edward VII 1908
32 Edward VII 1909
33 Edward VII 1910
34 George V 1911
35 George V 1912
36 George V 1913
37 George V 1914
38 George V 1915
39 George V 1916
40 George V 1917
41 George V 1918
42 George V 1919
43 George V 1921
44 George V 1922
45 George V 1923
46 George V 1924
47 George V 1925
48 George V 1926
49 George V 1927
50 George V 1928
51 George V 1929
52 George V 1930
53 George V 1933
54 George V 1934
55 George V 1936
56 George VI 1938
57 George VI 1939
58 George VI 1940
59 George VI 1941
60 George VI 1942
61 George VI 1943
62 George VI 1944
63 George VI 1945

3. Quarter Rupee (1/4 Rupee) Silver Coins (1835–1945)

Compact yet intricately struck, the Quarter Rupee series remains a favorite among collectors building year-set collections. Below is the complete chronological issue list.

S.No. Monarch / Design Variety Year of Issue
1 William IV 1835
2 Victoria Queen (Continuous Legend) 1840
3 Victoria Queen (Divided / Break Legend) 1840
4 Victoria Queen 1862
5 Victoria Queen 1874
6 Victoria Queen 1875
7 Victoria Queen 1876
8 Victoria Empress 1877
9 Victoria Empress 1878
10 Victoria Empress 1879
11 Victoria Empress 1880
12 Victoria Empress 1881
13 Victoria Empress 1882
14 Victoria Empress 1883
15 Victoria Empress 1884
16 Victoria Empress 1885
17 Victoria Empress 1886
18 Victoria Empress 1887
19 Victoria Empress 1888
20 Victoria Empress 1889
21 Victoria Empress 1890
22 Victoria Empress 1891
23 Victoria Empress 1892
24 Victoria Empress 1893
25 Victoria Empress 1894
26 Victoria Empress 1896
27 Victoria Empress 1897
28 Victoria Empress 1898
29 Victoria Empress 1900
30 Victoria Empress 1901
31 Edward VII 1903
32 Edward VII 1904
33 Edward VII 1905
34 Edward VII 1906
35 Edward VII 1907
36 Edward VII 1908
37 Edward VII 1910
38 George V 1911
39 George V 1912
40 George V 1913
41 George V 1914
42 George V 1915
43 George V 1916
44 George V 1917
45 George V 1918
46 George V 1919
47 George V 1925
48 George V 1926
49 George V 1928
50 George V 1929
51 George V 1930
52 George V 1934
53 George V 1936
54 George VI 1939
55 George VI 1940
56 George VI 1942
57 George VI 1943
58 George VI 1944
59 George VI 1945

4. One-Eighth Rupee (1/8 Rupee) Silver Coins (1841–1917)

The smallest silver denomination produced during the colonial era, the 1/8 Rupee (or 2 Annas silver equivalent) was minted up until 1917 before composition changes occurred in later years.

S.No. Monarch / Design Variety Year of Issue
1 Victoria Queen (Continuous Legend) 1841
2 Victoria Queen (Divided / Break Legend) 1841
3 Victoria Queen 1862
4 Victoria Queen 1874
5 Victoria Queen 1875
6 Victoria Queen 1876
7 Victoria Empress 1877
8 Victoria Empress 1878
9 Victoria Empress 1879
10 Victoria Empress 1880
11 Victoria Empress 1881
12 Victoria Empress 1882
13 Victoria Empress 1883
14 Victoria Empress 1884
15 Victoria Empress 1885
16 Victoria Empress 1886
17 Victoria Empress 1887
18 Victoria Empress 1888
19 Victoria Empress 1889
20 Victoria Empress 1890
21 Victoria Empress 1891
22 Victoria Empress 1892
23 Victoria Empress 1893
24 Victoria Empress 1894
25 Victoria Empress 1895
26 Victoria Empress 1896
27 Victoria Empress 1897
28 Victoria Empress 1898
29 Victoria Empress 1900
30 Victoria Empress 1901
31 Edward VII 1903
32 Edward VII 1904
33 Edward VII 1905
34 Edward VII 1906
35 Edward VII 1907
36 Edward VII 1908
37 Edward VII 1909
38 Edward VII 1910
39 George V 1911
40 George V 1912
41 George V 1913
42 George V 1914
43 George V 1915
44 George V 1916
45 George V 1917

Note for Collectors: This guide serves as an analytical listing of mint years and ruler classifications for reference. For authentication, grading, or valuation inquiries regarding antique silver coins and estate jewelry, consult with TBNS Jewels specialists.