Queen Victoria, Empress of India, ½ Pice Coin - 1862 to 1901 CE - British India

These copper coins were minted under Queen Victoria during the British Raj, an 89 year period in which the United Kingdom controlled the Indian subcontinent. Although India had already been ruled by the British Crown since 1858, the title of "Empress of India" was bestowed upon Queen Victoria in 1876. Though it was mostly ceremonial in nature, it was meant to increase the acceptance of the British monarchy as the official head of state. Indian royals and politicians were made to swear their allegiance to the crown, and portraits of the reigning monarch were placed into government buildings, train stations, and other official areas. Despite being named "Empress" of the nation, Queen Victoria never visited India herself. However, she was known to have taken a personal interest in Indian culture. Many of her dinner menus featured Indian cuisine, and she even learned enough Hindi to write some diary entries in the language. Following the death of Victoria in 1901, the title would be adapte