Tukoji Rao II, Copper Pattern 1/2 Anna, 16.31g, VS 1942, Obv: Sun-face in centre, Devanagari legend “Shrimant Sarkar Holkar” around it, Rev: Recumbent Nandi in front of Shivaliga and a Bael leaf above, Devanagari legend “Shahar Indor Samwat 1942” around. Very fine+, extremely rare. On 19 January 1886, Indore State issued a circular that the existing copper coins were dissimilar and of different dies. A merchant named Mangat Ram was given the contract to strike copper coinage on behalf of the State. He experimented with using simple machines like a screw press, to ensure uniformity and quick output. The newly machine struck copper coins were put into circulation by January 1886 (VS1942). Traders could obtain them at 16 ½ takkas (33 paisa) and redistribute them at 32 paisa to a rupee. But known 1942-dated coins are of two weights – 12g and 16g – so evidently a paisa and a takka denomination were both produced. These were the earliest experiments with mechanised coin production at Indore. Their designs are inspired by hand-struck coins already in circulation. The 1942-dated coins are known in two weights – 12g and 16g. In subsequent years a few more designs were tried. Unlike normal practice, these patterns appear to end in circulation probably because of the expense involved in their production.