Bronze 1 Pice Hole Coin British India King George VI

British India, Ruler: George VI, (r. 1936–1947 CE), Year of Minting: 1943–1947 CE, Denomination: 1 Pice (1/64 of a Rupee), Metal: Bronze, Weight: 2 grams, Diameter: 21.32 mm, Shape: Round with central hole, Mint: Calcutta/Bombay/Lahore/Pretoria, Catalogue Reference: KM#533, About Very Fine.

Obverse: Plain center hole; large date and clear legend. Letters read: “1 PICE INDIA • एक पैसा • 194X • ایک پیسه”

Reverse: Wreath design surrounds the central hole.

This British India 1 Pice coin was issued during the reign of George VI in the final years of the British Raj, a period marked by World War II, economic strain, and rising independence movements. Struck between 1943 and 1947 CE, the coin reflects wartime austerity through its simple bronze composition and functional holed design. The denomination of 1 Pice (1/64 of a Rupee) was widely used in everyday transactions by the common population. Notably, this issue exists with three distinct varieties of the king’s head and crown design, showing subtle stylistic changes over time. These coins were produced at four different mints—Calcutta, Bombay, Lahore, and Pretoria making mint-based varieties an important area of study for collectors.