Travancore State, Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma or Rama Varma V (1055-1060 ME /1880-1885 AD)
Gold ½ Sovereign, Milled Edge, Obv: Bust of Maharaja with legend Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore 1881 around it, Rev: conch flanked by elephants above the crown, crossed scepters 1057 in Malayalam
numerals below, Malayalam legend “RAMA VARMA MAHARAJAVU THIRUVITAMCOOR", 4.0g, 19.58mm, (KM # 31/ B. Sarasan # 216), ex-mount, about very fine, Extremely Rare.

Note: The Gold Half Sovereign coins of Rama Varma V of Travancore are highly sought after by collectors and numismatists. According to Birmingham mint records, the dies for this issue were prepared by the mint and it may or may not have struck the regular issue as well. The British Indian mint at Bombay minted 1000 full sovereigns and 2000 half sovereigns in 1882 AD, according to Nagam Aiyya. At present, however, it seems that the one-sovereign coin is more common than the half-sovereign coin.