Indian coins issued during the reign of the British King William IV (the “Sailor King”) began in 1835, five years into his reign. Coins featuring the bust of the king are noted for using “WILLIAM IIII” rather than “IV” (as in Britain itself).
Coins including silver rupees and gold mohurs were made featuring images of William IV. Examples of these in various conditions appeal to buyers with varying budgets, but uncirculated pieces can command much higher prices, especially in the case of gold coins.
Denominations
Denominations of Indian coins issued by William IV, both with his bust and without, include:
1/12 anna
1/4 anna
1/2 anna
1/4 rupee
1/2 rupee
1 rupee
1 mohur
2 mohurs
In addition to regularly circulated coins, there are uncirculated proofs of William IV Indian coins in existence, as well as patterns that are, of course, rarely seen for sale. (Pattern fantasy coins have been made with 1830 dates; real patterns seem to date from about 1833 at the earliest.)
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With his short reign, and as Britain only started issuing coins for use in India toward the end of this reign, the Indian coins under William IIII are not as numerous as other rulers, especially his successor, Queen Victoria. But any collection of Indian coins, British Indian coins, or British colonial coins must include some pieces from this era. When William IV, frail but defiant, died in 1837, the coins of India were slowly revamped to reflect the new political realities of the Victorian era.
