T. D. writes: Can you help in identifying this coin? I think it’s an 1882 India quarter. On the obverse side it reads VICTORIA EMPRESS. On the reverse side it reads One Quarter Anna India 1882. What exactly is this? I will look forward to your reply. Thank You
Your piece is a coin minted under British rule in India and shows a Crowned Queen Victoria of England on the obverse and ONE QUARTER ANNA INDIA 1882 surrounded by a wreath of assorted vegetation. The coin was minted in copper in either Bombay or Calcutta. See the mint mark below the date inside the wreath. Both issues are plentiful and bring only nominal value unless they are gems with the original red copper color.