Rama Varma V, White Metal Pattern 1/2 Sovereign, AD 1881/ ME 1057, Mint Heaton (Birmingham), Obv: Portrait of Sri Rama Varma in royal attire, Legend “Sri Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore, 1881” around, Rev: Conch flanked by Elephants above the Crown, crossed sceptres, 1057 in Malayalam numerals below, Malayalam legend “Rama Varma Maharajavu Thiruvitamcoor” (KM# PN1, B Sarasaran# Pattern 14). Slab & Graded by NGC as PF 64 Ultra Cameo. Exceedingly rare. James Sweeny’s Book “A Numismatic History of the Birmingham Mint” states that the Heaton Mint supplied the Dies for the 1881 Travancore Sovereign and 1/2 Sovereign and may or may not have struck the circulating coins. These coins were produced without Mint mark and recorded as Friedberg 329 and 330. The obverse bears three quarter portrait of the ruler of the Travancore, and the reverse shows to rearing Elephants with a Conch Shell between. The white metal trial striking’s of these coinage was certainly made in Birmingham, and examples were present in the Heaton Mint collection.