Scarce One Rupee George VI King Emperor (1940-45) Silver Coin, British India Uniform Coinage, Collectible.

Struck in the twilight years of British India, this One Rupee silver coin issued under King George VI , the Emperor of British India, stands as a poignant emblem of a world in transition, where the undercurrents of Independence battled the imperial majesty.

Minted between 1940 and 1945, this coin belongs to the British India Uniform Coinage series, and bears the dignified left-facing effigy of King George VI, engraved with precision by Engraver Percy Metcalfe. The Emperor’s portrait, framed by an ornate rim and inscribed “GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR,” carries the unmistakable authority of the British monarchy at its pinnacle on the subcontinent.

The reverse is a brilliant example of symbolism and unifying design. A wreath—interwoven with roses, thistle, shamrock, and lotus circles a bilingual inscription “ONE RUPEE INDIA 1945”, flanked by its Urdu equivalent, “یک روپیہ”. It is a subtle yet profound symbol of both imperial reach and cultural fusion, elegantly contained within a toothed border.

This coin was minted at Calcutta, Bombay, and Lahore, each piece is marked (or left unmarked) to reflect its origin. Look closely beneath the lotus—where a dot or diamond indicates Bombay Mint, an ‘L’ marks Lahore, and absence of a mark denotes Calcutta.

This rupee, with its sophisticated silver composition and security edge, is more than just a currency; it is a physical artefact from the last era of colonial India, rich in layers of history and dignity.