The one mohur India gold coin was part of the British monetary system used in colonial India. A mohur is a British Indian coin valued at legal tender of 15 silver rupees, approximately $7.21 face value in US dollars. The regal coins of the British were used in India from 1835 to 1947 and were a continuation of the quaternary system used by the Moghul rulers. Of the coins used during this time period, the rupee was the most important.
The one mohur gold coin was the only gold coin used during the reign of Queen Victoria. All the coins during her reign bore her portrait, in several different image styles. Victoria was the first Empress of India from May 1, 1876, until her death on January 22, 1901. She reigned on the British throne for a total of sixty-three years and seven months, the longest reigning British monarch to date. This time period in Britain marked the height of its influence as a global colonial power.
DESCRIPTION
The 1888 One Mohur India Gold Coin is 24 mm in diameter with a weight of 11.66 gm. These circulated coins are rare because the production of gold mohurs ceased issuance in 1891. Since Queen Victoria was First Empress of India from 1876 until the end of gold mohur production in 1891, all one mohur coins depict her in what is known as the left facing crowned bust style.
The obverse or front side of the coin depicts the crowned bust of Queen Victoria in the left facing profile. To the left of her face is the word EMPRESS in an arc around one section near the coin's rim. To the right of the profile and in back of her head and shoulders is the word VICTORIA, in an arc around that section near the coin's rim. Many raised dots completely encircle the coin's rim.
On the reverse side of the coin is the value of the coin ONE MOHUR in the center. Underneath the value is a partial line and then the word INDIA. Directly under the word INDIA is the date 1888. This center section of the coin is completely encircled by many dots. Beyond the raised dots is an elaborate floral design surrounded by another circle of many raised dots.
In February of 2011, a choice lustrous example, 1888-C PCGS graded AU-58, with an estimated value of $1,600 to $1,800, sold at auction for $2,300 US dollars.