Look at the beautiful coin in our picture. It is in terrific condition, and it was sold by respected eBay dealer AspenCoins in Idaho, USA for $127 US dollars. Most coins from Travancore, India are not in that good shape.

Dating on these coins use the Malabar Era (ME) system. There are two Western (Gregorian) years associated with each ME year. To find the first AD year, add 824 to the ME year. The second AD year is one after the first. So ME1112 is 1936-37AD. Coins dated before 1900AD use the AD, not the ME, calendar.

There are two denominations with varying silver content:

1/4 RUPEE 1889: silver content unsure
1/4 RUPEE ME1082 to ME1106: 0.083 troy ounces silver
1/4 RUPEE ME1112: silver content unsure
1/4 RUPEE ME1116 to ME1118: 0.043 troy ounces silver
1/2 RUPEE 1889: silver content unsure
1/2 RUPEE ME1084 to ME1107: 0.166 troy ounces silver
1/2 RUPEE ME1112: silver content unsure

Catalog values for these interesting coins are:

1/4 RUPEE 1889AD:
worn: $6 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $25
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $75

1/4 RUPEE ME1082 to ME1118:
worn: $2 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $4
well preserved: $7
fully uncirculated: $15
1/4 rupees dated ME1112 and ME1118 are somewhat more rare; multiply these values by two

1/2 RUPEE 1889AD:
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $40
well preserved: $60
fully uncirculated: $100

1/2 RUPEE ME1084 to ME1112:
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $10
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $35
1/2 rupees dated ME1112 are somewhat more rare; multiply these values by two

CoinQuest thanks Aspen Coins for use of their coin photo. It's a nice one!