Fine +, Extremly Rare.

In the 1830s and 1840s, crews shipwrecked on the Andaman Islands were often attacked and killed by the natives. In 1855, the British government proposed a setttlement on the islands which would include a convict establishment. The Indian Rebellion in 1857 delayed its constructions but provided many prisoners. Construction began in November 1857 at the renovated Port Blair. Rupees were issued in 1861 & 1866, they are termed tokens as the metal value of the coin was not equal to its face value. No prisoners were sent there after 1921, it was occupied by the Japanese during World War II & it was closed after it. The tokens were withdrawn from circulation in 1870 AD. This is one of the rarest British Colonial Victoria Portrait coin offered in this auction. Refer Mr Colin Bruce - Krause Publications, Standard Catalouge of World Coins 1801-1900, 2006. ( Above notes from Museum Victoria, Australia).