Princely State of Gwalior ¼ Anna – Jivaji Rao Scindia Brass Coin

Gwalior State, Jivaji Rao Scindia, Reign: 1925-1948 CE, Denomination: ¼ Anna, Composition: Brass, Weight: 2.94 grams, Diameter: 22.5 mm, Year: VS 1999 (1942 CE), Fine, Collectable.

Obverse: Left-facing bust of Maharaja Jivaji Rao Scindia, surrounded by a Devanagari inscription giving his royal name, title, and Gwalior.

Reverse: Gwalior State coat of arms appears centrally, with the denomination “Paav Anna” above Vikram Samvat 1999 in Devanagari below.

Jivaji Rao Scindia was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Gwalior before Indian independence. He succeeded Madho Rao Scindia in 1925 and ruled Gwalior during a period of major political and social change. As head of the Scindia dynasty, he continued the administration and institutions of the state while maintaining Gwalior’s distinct princely identity under British paramountcy. His reign witnessed modernization in education, infrastructure, administration, and public institutions. Gwalior remained one of the prominent princely states of central India, with its own coinage and heraldic traditions. After independence, Jivaji Rao became the Rajpramukh of Madhya Bharat.

Coinage Note: This brass ¼ Anna was issued by Gwalior State in VS 1999, corresponding to 1942 CE, during the reign of Jivaji Rao Scindia. The coin combines his left-facing portrait with elegant Devanagari lettering and the Gwalior state coat of arms. Its denomination and Vikram Samvat date reflect the distinctive monetary tradition maintained by the princely state.