Summary
Proof 5 Cents, Issued by Mauritius, 1878
Minted by Royal Mint, London
Obverse Description
Diademed head of the queen facing left; around, VICTORIA QUEEN
Reverse Description
At centre within a circle of beads, 5; around, MAURITIUS . FIVE CENTS 1878 .
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
The British gained control of Mauritius in 1810 at a time when the Spanish dollar was the standard coin. It produced coins based on the dollar from 1820 (both the general colonial 'anchor money' and coins in French, the main language of the inhabitants). On 12 August 1876 an Order in Council established the Indian Rupee as the legal tender of payment and authorised the production of local Mauritius coins as fractions of the Rupee rather than the old dollar. Bronze coins of 1, 2 and 5 cents together with silver coins of 10 and 20 cents were struck from 1877. This non-bronzed proof example of the 5 cent was prepared for the Melbourne Mint exhibit at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition and was re-used for the 1888 Exhibition.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 11 Jan 1978
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Date Issued
1878 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Denomination
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Material
Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
28.5 mm (Outside Diameter), 9.626 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
KM#9
[Book] Bruce, Colin R. 2006. Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1801 - 1900.
[Book] Hocking, William J. 1906. Catalogue of the Coins, Tokens, Medals, Dies and Seals in the Museum of the Royal Mint.
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Keywords
British Empire Coins, Exhibitions: Melbourne International Centennial, 1888-1889, Exhibitions: Melbourne International, 1880-1881, British Commonwealth and Empire Coins
