1918 Fifteen Rupees proof restrike

Indian restrikes were produced from the mid-19th century through to the mid-20th century. These coins were officially struck at the Bombay and Calcutta mints using restored original dies. As a result, restrikes often present differently to original coins, with reflective fields, deep strikes, and a brushed finish to the raised devices.

Die polishing lines are commonly visible in the open fields of early strikes, though they can fade on later impressions. In fact, the combination of mirrored fields and sharper, more deliberate finish can make restrikes more desirable than the original strikes, and because they are official issues, they are no less legitimate than the original mintings. They are collectable in their own right.

The present coin, a restrike of the 1918 Fifteen Rupees, is a particularly attractive example. It is a fresh, bold strike, with clear die-polishing lines evident on both 'verses; the reverse foliate scrollwork remains crisp and strongly raised, whilst the pearls and diamonds on the obverse are clear. Overall, it is a beautiful restrike proof, and one of the few we have handled in recent times.