Nice coin, Mickey. These old silver rupees from India represent an interesting series of coins, and many of them -- especially the older dates -- are valuable.

The coin in our picture is one of the earlier versions. Later coins changed monarchs (India was British until 1947) and reverse designs, but the basic coin was the same all the way from 1862 to 1947. You will see coins in this series as follows:

1/4, 1/2, and 1 rupee
Victoria Empress
Victoria Queen
Edward King and Emperor
George King and Emperor
various designs on the reverse

This appraisal page covers all these variations for silver coins between 1862 and 1947.

The listings below give approximate catalog values in US dollars. There are variations in these coins that we do not cover because it is beyond the scope of the CoinQuest forum. If you get interested in collecting these coins, use other reference material to understand variations. The values below are *ballpark* estimates for all dates and variations. Use our Important Terminology page (link at uppe left) to convert these catalog values to actual buy and sell values.

1/4 RUPEE 1862 TO 1930
worn: $6 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $8
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $40
for 1/4 rupee coins before 1877, multiply these values by two

1/4 RUPEE 1931 TO 1947
worn: $2 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $3
well preserved: $5
fully uncirculated: $10
for 1/4 rupee coins dated 1947 with lion, divide these values by two

1/2 RUPEE 1862 TO 1936
worn: $4 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $10
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $40
for 1/2 rupee coins before 1877, multiply these values by two

1/2 RUPEE 1937 TO 1947
worn: $2 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $3
well preserved: $7
fully uncirculated: $15
for 1/2 rupee coins dated 1947 with lion, divide these values by two

1 RUPEE 1862 TO 1914
worn: $8 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $12
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $60
for rupees before 1877, multiply these values by two

1 RUPEE 1915 TO 1939
worn: $6 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $8
well preserved: $18
fully uncirculated: $40
rupee special dates 1921, 1922: $100 in average circulated condition

1 RUPEE 1940 TO 1947
worn: $2 US dollars catalog value
average circulated (like our picture): $3
well preserved: $15
fully uncirculated: $25
for rupees dated 1947 with lion, divide these values by two

If you think you might have a proof coin (an especially superb coin made only for collectors), seek out a knowledgeable collector or coin dealer who can help you. Proofs of these coins are generally quite valuable.