A Numismatic Study of The Exceptional Four-Dot One Rupee of Edward VII, British India

Abstract

The coinage of King Edward VII in India, spanning from 1903 to 1910, represents a pivotal period in colonial monetary history, bridging the late Victorian era with the early decades of the twentieth century. During this period, the majority of rupee issues adhered to well-established designs, including the standard five-dot Bombay rupees and the rare three-dot Calcutta error of 1903. While these types have been studied extensively, this research identifies and examines a previously undocumented variant: the four-dot rupee, issued in 1903, 1904, and 1907. Through a combination of comparative analysis, photographic documentation, and review of existing numismatic scholarship, this study investigates the origins of the four-dot rupees. The research considers several possible explanations for their unusual dot arrangement, including engraver oversight, intentional modification, or transitional minting practices that reflect the technical and human factors influencing coin production. Each coin’s distinctive pattern underscores the nuanced and often unpredictable nature of colonial minting, where minor deviations could create lasting variants. The study’s findings highlight not only the rarity of the four-dot rupees but also their significance within Edwardian numismatics. By systematically documenting these coins, the research expands the classification of Edward VII coinage and offers new insights into the processes behind early twentieth-century minting in India. These discoveries enrich numismatic scholarship, providing collectors and historians with a deeper understanding of the production, variation, and historical importance of Edwardian rupees.