George VI – Lahore Mint 1 Rupee 1947 AD British India Historical Coin

British India, King George VI , (r. 1936–1947 CE), Year: 1947 CE, Denomination: 1 Rupee, Metal: Nickel, Weight: 11.56 grams, Diameter: 28 mm, Mint: Lahore, Reference: KM# 559, Grade: Extra Fine, Rarity: Very Scarce.

Obverse: Crowned bust of King George VI facing left, surrounded by the legend “GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR.”

Reverse: Bengal tiger walking left, with the denomination inscribed in Devanagari, English and Urdu. The country name “INDIA” and the date “1947” appear below the tiger.

The 1947 One Rupee was introduced during the final months of British rule in India. Struck in nickel at the Lahore and Bombay mints, it featured a new tiger design and a reduced diameter compared with earlier rupee issues. Lahore Mint, established in 1943 during the Second World War, played an important role in meeting the currency requirements of the region. In 1947, the end of British rule led to the Partition of India and the creation of the independent dominions of India and Pakistan. Lahore became part of Pakistan, and its mint continued to serve the currency needs of the newly formed country. This coin therefore represents an important transitional issue linking the final phase of British Indian coinage with the political transformation of the subcontinent.

Coinage Note: The 1947 Lahore Mint Rupee is catalogued under KM# 559. The Lahore variety is identified by the absence of a mint mark below the date, whereas the Bombay variety bears a small diamond mint mark in that position. The Lahore issue had a recorded mintage of approximately 41.9 million pieces. As a coin from the final year of British Indian rule, it holds historical significance for collectors of George VI and pre-independence Indian coinage.