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2023
BRITISH COLONISATION
THE BRITISH COLONIZATION SECTION FEATURES COINS FROM WHEN THE BRITISH RULED VARIOUS COUNTRIES. THIS COLLECTION INCLUDES OLDER BRITISH INDIA COINS AND A RECENT BRITISH HONG KONG COIN.
CLICK/ TAP THE WRITEUP TO SEE THE COINS.
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II HONG KONG 5 DOLLAR COIN
The 1976 Queen Elizabeth II Hong Kong 5 Dollar coin played a vital role in the daily transactions of the British Crown colony of Hong Kong while it was in circulation. The year of the coins mintage marked 75 years of British colonisation over Hong Kong. It was made from cupro-nickel, featuring Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait along with her title stated on the obverse of the coin. The reverse of the coin appeared a standing crowned lion in the centre, with the year of mintage and the denomination below it. Above the lion it had “Hong Kong” written along with a few Chinese symbols written which are Chinese for the denomination of 5 dollars and for Hong Kong. The 1976 Hong Kong 5 Dollar coin, having traversed countless hands bore witness to the economic activities and social interactions that characterized the colony in that era. Its enduring legacy extends beyond being a collectors item, reminding us of a time in the mid-20th century when Hong Kong was ruled by the British.
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II HONG KONG 5 DOLLAR COIN
The 1976 Queen Elizabeth II Hong Kong 5 Dollar coin played a vital role in the daily transactions of the British Crown colony of Hong Kong while it was in circulation. The year of the coins mintage marked 75 years of British colonisation over Hong Kong. It was made from cupro-nickel, featuring Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait along with her title stated on the obverse of the coin. The reverse of the coin appeared a standing crowned lion in the centre, with the year of mintage and the denomination below it. Above the lion it had “Hong Kong” written along with a few Chinese symbols written which are Chinese for the denomination of 5 dollars and for Hong Kong. The 1976 Hong Kong 5 Dollar coin, having traversed countless hands bore witness to the economic activities and social interactions that characterized the colony in that era. Its enduring legacy extends beyond being a collectors item, reminding us of a time in the mid-20th century when Hong Kong was ruled by the British.
THE EDWARD VII ONE RUPEE BRITISH INDIA 1903 COIN
The Edward VII One Rupee British India coin of 1903 stands as a numismatic reminder of a time when the British empire held sway over the Indian subcontinent. After Queen Victoria’s demise, her son, Edward VII, ascended the throne in 1901 and his likeness adorned the coin’s obverse, with his title of “King and Emperor". The reverse of the coin's border was in stark contrast to Queen Victoria’s one rupee coin in terms of design. The reverse of the Queen Victoria one rupee coin was adorned with intricately design flowers surrounding the date. Meanwhile, the Edward VII One Rupee British India coin is sparsely populated with flowers, instead the coin draws the viewer's gaze to the crown at the top, King Edward attempt to keep the British monarchy at the forefront of India society during the rise of Indian nationalism. Below the crown is the denomination and the date, 1903. This Edward VII coin has a similar design to that of the Edwards VII 1906 sixpence. These coins were produced at the mints in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, they bore witness to a time when British colonial influence was at its zenith. Today collectors eagerly seek these coins, valuing them as emblems of the complicated historical narrative that unfolded in British India during the early 20th century.
THE EDWARD VII ONE RUPEE BRITISH INDIA 1903 COIN
The Edward VII One Rupee British India coin of 1903 stands as a numismatic reminder of a time when the British empire held sway over the Indian subcontinent. After Queen Victoria’s demise, her son, Edward VII, ascended the throne in 1901 and his likeness adorned the coin’s obverse, with his title of “King and Emperor". The reverse of the coin's border was in stark contrast to Queen Victoria’s one rupee coin in terms of design. The reverse of the Queen Victoria one rupee coin was adorned with intricately design flowers surrounding the date. Meanwhile, the Edward VII One Rupee British India coin is sparsely populated with flowers, instead the coin draws the viewer's gaze to the crown at the top, King Edward attempt to keep the British monarchy at the forefront of India society during the rise of Indian nationalism. Below the crown is the denomination and the date, 1903. This Edward VII coin has a similar design to that of the Edwards VII 1906 sixpence. These coins were produced at the mints in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, they bore witness to a time when British colonial influence was at its zenith. Today collectors eagerly seek these coins, valuing them as emblems of the complicated historical narrative that unfolded in British India during the early 20th century.
THE QUEEN VICTORIA ONE RUPEE BRITISH INDIA 1885 COIN
The one rupee coin from the British India period, bearing Queen Victoria's likeness in 1885, stands as a testament to the era of colonisation. This coin shows us how the English had already established their rule in the latter stages of the 19th century and had their monarchs on the Indian denominations. Typically on the obverse side we can see a portrait of Queen Victoria facing the left with her title of Empress written. On the reverse side we see some intricate designs with a wreath surrounding the denomination and the date of issue. These coins symbolise the social,economic and political intricacies of British India that function as tangible relics of colonial influence from the British. Today, these numismatic treasures serve as windows into the complex interplay between British rule, commerce, and local economies in 19th-century India.
THE QUEEN VICTORIA ONE RUPEE BRITISH INDIA 1885 COIN
The one rupee coin from the British India period, bearing Queen Victoria's likeness in 1885, stands as a testament to the era of colonisation. This coin shows us how the English had already established their rule in the latter stages of the 19th century and had their monarchs on the Indian denominations. Typically on the obverse side we can see a portrait of Queen Victoria facing the left with her title of Empress written. On the reverse side we see some intricate designs with a wreath surrounding the denomination and the date of issue. These coins symbolise the social,economic and political intricacies of British India that function as tangible relics of colonial influence from the British. Today, these numismatic treasures serve as windows into the complex interplay between British rule, commerce, and local economies in 19th-century India.
THE KING GEORGE V 1929 BRITISH INDIA 2 ANNA COIN
The King George V 1929 British India 2 Anna coin is a historical artefact of the British colonial era. Coins such as these were used in India in facilitating trade and commerce during King George V’s reign. The obverse of the coin has the kings portrait with the date and his title. The reverse has the denomination as well as symbols indicating the coins origin. The 2 Anna coin has unique design particularly because it was a square coin, it was used for everyday transactions and was not a very high denomination is was 1/8th of a rupee. Through this coin and its intricate designs we can see the artistic styles and the cultural amalgamation during the British Raj. Thus this King George V 2 Anna stands as a historical reminder of the complex interplay between the British imperial influence and the rich cultural heritage of India.
THE KING GEORGE V 1929 BRITISH INDIA 2 ANNA COIN
The King George V 1929 British India 2 Anna coin is a historical artefact of the British colonial era. Coins such as these were used in India in facilitating trade and commerce during King George V’s reign. The obverse of the coin has the kings portrait with the date and his title. The reverse has the denomination as well as symbols indicating the coins origin. The 2 Anna coin has unique design particularly because it was a square coin, it was used for everyday transactions and was not a very high denomination is was 1/8th of a rupee. Through this coin and its intricate designs we can see the artistic styles and the cultural amalgamation during the British Raj. Thus this King George V 2 Anna stands as a historical reminder of the complex interplay between the British imperial influence and the rich cultural heritage of India.
THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY 1 CENT COIN FROM MR VIDUR TALWAR'S COLLECTION
The 1889 British North Borneo Company 1 cent coin is a very significant object in the numismatic history of the region. This coin was part of the inaugural coinage series issued by the British North Borneo Company, reflecting the company's efforts to establish a standardized currency system in the territory. The 1 cent coins obverse features the British North Borneo Company emblem, typically depicting two native warriors with an emblem in the centre and the year of mintage at the bottom. The reverse featured the company’s name with a pattern and 1 cent written in the middle in Malaysian as well as English. These coins were intended for everyday transactions within British North Borneo which is why they were minted in copper. They served as primary currency for transactions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Currently, the 1889, 1 cent coin serves as a tangible reminder of an era characterized by the phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire.
THE BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY 1 CENT COIN FROM MR VIDUR TALWAR'S COLLECTION
The 1889 British North Borneo Company 1 cent coin is a very significant object in the numismatic history of the region. This coin was part of the inaugural coinage series issued by the British North Borneo Company, reflecting the company's efforts to establish a standardized currency system in the territory. The 1 cent coins obverse features the British North Borneo Company emblem, typically depicting two native warriors with an emblem in the centre and the year of mintage at the bottom. The reverse featured the company’s name with a pattern and 1 cent written in the middle in Malaysian as well as English. These coins were intended for everyday transactions within British North Borneo which is why they were minted in copper. They served as primary currency for transactions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Currently, the 1889, 1 cent coin serves as a tangible reminder of an era characterized by the phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire.
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