Obverse. Photo © Numista
  • 1 Anna 1940-1941, KM# 537, India, British (British Raj), George VI
  • 1 Anna 1940-1941, KM# 537, India, British (British Raj), George VI
Description

George VI (1895–1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth.

As the second son of King George V, he was not expected to inherit the throne and spent his early life in the shadow of his elder brother, Edward. George's elder brother ascended the throne as Edward VIII upon the death of their father in 1936. However, later that year Edward revealed his desire to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin advised Edward that for political and religious reasons he could not marry a divorced woman and remain king. Edward abdicated in order to marry, and George ascended the throne as the third monarch of the House of Windsor.

Obverse

Crowned bust of King George VI, left, wearing the Tudor Crown, English legend around.

The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

Engraver: Percy Metcalfe

GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR

Reverse

Denomination, date below within floral pattern. Value in four languages: Urdu, Telugu, Bengli & Devnagari outside.

ایک آن ఒకఅణా
INDIA
AN 1 NA
1940

एक आना এক মানা

Edge

1 Anna

2nd portrait, large crown
KM# 537
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 3.9 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness -
Shape wavy (scallop, sun-shaped)
Notches 12
Alignment Medal
Mints
Bombay Mint (•)
Calcutta Mint (no mintmark)

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Cupronickel, 3.9 g, ⌀ 20.5 mm
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