Andaman Islands, Unlisted Copper Rupee

[Alex Island]

(c)

Andaman Islands, Copper Rupee, 11.09g, obv. Andaman Islands India Burma Settlement / Criminal / Token 1860, rev. Captain JC Houghton, One Rupee; all letters stamped individually, Unlisted in KM. Very Fine, Extremely Rare probably Unique. Andaman coins have always been dated 1861 or 1866 with the bust of Victoria. This specimen of 1860 pre-dates them. In 1789 East India Company - Bengal Presidency established a naval base and penal colony in what is now known as Port Blair. In the 1830s and 1840s, shipwrecked crews who landed on the Andamans were often attacked and killed by the natives and the islands had a reputation for cannibalism. In 1855, the government proposed another settlement on the islands, including a convict establishment, but the Indian Mutiny of 1857 forced a delay in its construction. However, because the rebellion gave the British so many prisoners, it made the new Andaman settlement and the prison an urgent necessity. Construction began in November 1857 at Port Blair using inmates as labourers. May 1859 saw the "Battle of Aberdeen" fought between the Andamanese Tribe and the British. On October 3, 1859 Captain JC Houghton took over as the Superintendent of the Cellular Jail. This explains his name of the coin. The Andaman Copper Rupee dated 1861 with the young head of Victoria is seldom seen and is believed to be the first coin issued for Andaman. In early March 2017, an Andaman Rupee Token with the bust of Victoria with a crown dated 1866 sold for Rs. 12 Lacs. The above rupee dated 1860 precedes both these and suggests that this would be the first Rupee issued for the Andaman Islands.

[brandm24]

Here's a picture and some information on the 1861 Rupee.       
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces74512.html
Bruce

[Alex Island]

Here's a picture and some information on the 1861 Rupee.       
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces74512.html
Bruce

There are four recognized types of tokens. Two of these are usually considered unusual.

Two different types of tokens "one rupee" with a portrait of the queen are considered classic - 1861 and 1866.

Two other different types of tokens without portraits - square "one rupee" 1860 and 3-Annas Token 1861 - are considered fantasy.

And this token, which is at the beginning of the topic, is already the fifth, unknown type.

[Alex Island]

If anyone has such an interest, here are photos of two tokens with a portrait of the Queen:

[Alex Island]

Here is a rare photo of strange token:

[Alex Island]

This is the first time I see this token without a hole:

[Alex Island]

Now they write exactly about the island on which the tokens were used:

Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island)

[Figleaf]

Here is a rare photo of strange token:

This is not a token but, as the text on the right clearly states, a "fantasy", an attempt to fool collectors.

Peter