Coin Indes Britanniques George V - 1/4 Anna - 1917 Calcutta

This quarter anna from British India was struck in 1917 at the Calcutta Mint. Its particularly high mintage reflects the considerable monetary needs of the Indian subcontinent at that time.

The obverse of the coin depicts George V, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, whose effigy traditionally appeared on coins issued in territories under British rule.

Historically, the reign of George V (1910?1936) was marked by major upheavals. The First World War saw the massive mobilisation of Indian troops in the service of the British Empire, with more than one million soldiers deployed on various fronts. This significant military contribution strengthened Indian nationalist aspirations, championed notably by the Indian National Congress and figures such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

In 1911, the administrative capital of British India was transferred from Calcutta to Delhi, altering the city's political status, though it remained a major commercial and industrial centre as well as an important monetary hub. This period was also characterised by sustained coin production, meeting the economic and military needs of an empire engaged in a global conflict.