1/12 Anna Queen Victoria British India 1862 AD Copper Coin

British India, Queen Victoria, Reign: 1837–1901 CE, Years of Minting: 1862–1876 CE, Denomination: 1/12 Anna, Composition: Copper, Weight: 2.03 grams, Diameter: 17.9 mm, Reference: KM# 465, About Very Fine, Scarce.

Obverse: Crowned bust of Queen Victoria facing left with the surrounding legend “VICTORIA QUEEN,” designed by engraver William Wyon and bordered by a toothed rim.

Reverse: Denomination “1/12 ANNA INDIA” and date “1862” arranged within a beaded circle, surrounded by an ornate floral wreath and toothed border.

Issued in 1862, the 1/12 Anna copper coin represents an important early issue of British India following the transfer of administration from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858. Queen Victoria’s portrait and the legend “VICTORIA QUEEN” appeared prominently on the new imperial coinage, reflecting the establishment of direct Crown rule in India. The 1/12 Anna was one of the smallest denominations in the British Indian monetary system, equivalent to 1/192 of a Rupee, and was intended for very small everyday transactions among the population. These coins were struck at major colonial mints including Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. The mint can be identified practically by measuring the diameter of the coin: Calcutta Mint examples generally measure around 17.4–17.5 mm, Madras Mint examples around 17.6–17.7 mm, and Bombay Mint examples around 17.9–18.0 mm. This measurement provides a useful method for distinguishing examples from the different mints. The attractive reverse combines the denomination and date within a beaded circle with an elaborate floral wreath, giving the coin a distinctive Victorian appearance. The 1862 issue is particularly significant as it belongs to the earliest standardized coinage series produced under direct British Crown administration. Today, the 1/12 Anna of Victoria remains a historically important collectible, representing the beginning of a new era in British Indian coinage and the consolidation of Crown monetary authority in India.