India - British Rule: One Quarter Annas

3 pies = 1 pice

4 pices = 1 anna

16 annas = 1 rupee

One Quarter Annas

Reverse                                                                      Obverse

This coin set consists of four 'One Annas' issued under each British Ruler that ruled India until 1947. Coins are as listed below:

1. Queen Victoria Empress - 1901 [Top left corner]
2. King Edward VII - 1908 [Bottom right corner]
3. Kind George V - 1913 [Bottom left corner]
4. King George VI - 1940 [Top right corner]

 

Queen Victoria (Ruled 1857-1901):

After the famous First War of Independence of 1857, East India Company's rule came to an end and the empire came under the British Crown. Hence India came under Queen Victoria's rule(Ruled 1857-1901). Coins minted from 1862 through 1873 all have the date 1862 and the legend reads "Victoria Queen" for coins dated 1862 - 1876. However it reads "Victoria Empress" for coins dated 1877 - 1901 as she used the additional title of Empress of India from 1 May 1876.

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King Edward VII (Ruled 1901-1910):

Albert Edward aka Edward VII(born 1841) was the eldest son of queen Victoria. Since the reign of Victoria queen/empress was the longest, Edward was the heir and the prince of Wales for the longest period of time.When Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901, the Prince of Wales became king. Then 59, he was the second oldest man to ascend to the throne in British history (the oldest having been William IV, who ascended at age of 64 years). He rules India [ and Britain) from 1901 until his death on 06 May 1910.

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King George V (Ruled 1910 - 1936):

When King Edward VII died in 1910, George was The Prince of Wales and ascended the throne to become King George V. King George V ruled India from 1910 until his death in 1936.

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King Geroge VI (Ruled 1937-1947):

After the death of King George V his son, who would have been King Edward VIII, abdicated ( gave up) the throne. No coins were minted using his portrait. His brother the Duke of York was crowned King George VI in May 1937 and the first coin of India with his effigy was minted in 1938. Since then King George VI was the Emperor of India until 1947 when India became Independent country. Hence he is know as the last emperor of India.

Click King George VI for more details.