Summary

Proof 1 Rupee, Issued by Seychelles, 1939
Minted by Royal Mint, London

Obverse Description

Crowned head of the king facing left; around, GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR; the artist's initials, PM, below the neck truncation

Reverse Description

Within a formal leaf like wreath, ONE / RUPEE; around, SEYCHELLES 1939

Edge Description

Milled

Significance

"For many years the monetary standard of the Seychelles was the silver rupee of India, but the Indian one rupee, half rupee and quarter rupees, were suplemented by Mauritius coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 cents. Mauritius and Seychelles Government notes were also in circulation. By ordinance No.2 of 1936 the local currency was linkerd directly with sterling, though no change was made in the nomenclanture and Mauritius and Indian coins continued to be used. The paper money included Seychelles currency notes of 50 cents and 1 rupee because the Mauritius and Indian silver coins at various times put into circulation were constantly exported to India, despite measures designed to prevent this practice. These small value notes could best be dispensed with by the introduction of a local metallic currency which was secured against large scale exportation by its silver content being substantially below that of the Indian rupee. The quaternary silver alloy such as is used in the present British coin was accordingly adopted for a new series of destinctive local coins comprising the rupee, half-rupee, and 25 cents, of the same weight as the corresponding Indian coins, but with a millesimal silver fineness of 500 instead of 916 2/3. In addition a cupro-nickel piece of 10 cents was included in the series." 70 th. Annual Report of the Deputy Master and Comptroller of the Royal Mint 1939, p. 7.

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