There are three mints that produced the
Rupee. All mint marks are on the reverse of the coin.
The Calcutta mint is represented either by no mint mark or by an incuse
(indented) letter "C" on the ornamental figure at the bottom of the
coin (6 o'clock position).
The Bombay mint is represented (1874-1883) by a dot mint mark. Note that
some Calcutta coins appear to have used the dot as well on 1877-1880 Rupees. It
is normally just above the Ornate at the bottom of the coin. An 1879 variety
has the dot in the rosette. In 1883 (the transition year) there are Rupees with
the dot, the raised "B", and both dot and raised "B". The
Bombay mint is represented (1883-1901) by an incuse "B" or a raised
"B", usually on the flower-like ornamental figure at the top in the
coin (12 o'clock position). The 1884 Rupee has the raised "B" on the
whorl at the bottom (on the reverse).
Note that the incuse "B" is sometimes inverted (upside down). It's
easy to understand how this may have happened, since the tiny "B"
looks much the same when inverted. At this time I know of two Rupees with the
inverted "B", 1887 and 1888.
The Madras mint closed in 1867 and so is represented only by Rupees
dated 1862. The only Rupees attributed to Madras are the 1862 B/II 0/0 and the
1862 B/IIa 0/0
A note about identifying these tiny mint marks: Sometimes the mint marks
are very clear and easy to see. Other times they are quite subtle and difficult
to pick out. The incuse "C" can appear as a tiny circle. The incuse
"B" can also be indistinct. The raised "B" is particularly
prone to problems due to wear, damage or poor striking. It often appears as a
little bump on the coin. Great care must be taken to identify some mint marks.
It often helps to use a magnifier and to use strong directional lighting. An
invisible mint mark can often be quite clear with the proper choice of
lighting.
The following mint marks are illustrated by
photos below:
