1939(B) British India King George VI 1/4 Rupee Silver Coin NGC MS64 Highlights: 1. This coin represents the absolute end of the .917 sterling silver standard in British India. The onset of WWII in late 1939 triggered acute silver hoarding and emergency resource allocation, forcing the empire to reduce the fineness to .500 in 1940. Owning a 1939 issue means owning a tangible piece of WWII economic history. 2. Minted at Bombay (signified by the subtle dot / "B" mark at the base of the reverse design), the coin features exquisite British colonial design—the crown floral wreath encircling the denomination in English and Persian (Chahar Anna). 3. While millions were struck, the vast majority were either melted down during war-era silver drives or worn down through decades of tropical circulation. An NGC MS64 grade confirms that the piece survived over 85 years in pristine, uncirculated condition with its original mint cartwheel luster intact, elevating it from a standard circulation piece to a certified collector-grade asset. Coin Story: TThis coin was issued under the reign of King George VI in British India and minted at the Bombay Mint (indicated by the "B" mint mark / dot mark). The year 1939 marks the final issue of high-purity sterling silver (.917 fineness) 1/4 Rupee coins. Following the outbreak of World War II, silver became a strategic military material, prompting the Government of India to debase the silver content of the 1/4 Rupee and other silver denominations down to a .500 quaternary alloy starting in 1940. Consequently, the 1939 issue serves as the final chapter of the high-purity silver coinage, holding significant historical importance in the evolution of British Indian currency.