Archive · 18 Aug 2026
1913 British-Era Silver Coins Found During Highway Excavation in Morena
Workers were digging the ground to build a big new highway in a place called Morena in India.
While they were digging, they found some old shiny coins made of silver.
Villagers and a machine operator spotted the coins and told the police.
One coin was made in the year 1913 and had the face of King George V on it.
On the other side, the coin said 'ONE RUPEE INDIA,' which means it was worth one rupee long ago.
Silver coins like this were made during the time a king from Britain ruled India.
The coins are very old special treasures, so the police are taking care of them.
The coins will be given to the Archaeology Department, which studies old things from history.
Smart experts will look at the coins to learn more about them and how they got buried there.
British-era silver coins were discovered during excavation for a Greenfield Highway near Dongarpur Lodha village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.
A one-rupee coin minted in 1913 during King George V's reign bears the inscriptions 'GEORGE V KING EMPEROR' and 'ONE RUPEE INDIA.'
District Archaeology Officer Ashok Sharma said the coin weighs about 11.6 grams and is approximately 91% silver.
The recovered coins are being kept secure at Mata Basaiya police station and will be handed over to the Archaeology Department after the investigation.
Officials are working to determine the exact number of coins, their precise underground location, and the circumstances of their burial, with expert assessment planned.
- Who
- Local villagers and a JCB operator spotted the coins, after which police and administrative teams, including District Archaeology Officer Ashok Sharma and ADM Ashwani Rawat, secured them.
- What
- British-era silver coins, including a one-rupee coin minted in 1913 during King George V's reign, were found during excavation for a Greenfield Highway.
- When
- The discovery was made during ongoing highway construction; the recovered one-rupee coin itself was minted in 1913.
- Where
- Near Dongarpur Lodha village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The coins were unearthed accidentally during highway excavation, and officials are investigating how and why they were buried and their historical significance.
- Location
- Dongarpur Lodha village, Morena district, Madhya Pradesh
- Coins discovered
- British-era silver coins including a 1913 one-rupee coin
- Inscriptions
- 'GEORGE V KING EMPEROR' and 'ONE RUPEE INDIA'
- Silver content
- Approximately 91%
- Weight
- Around 11.6 grams
- Issue period
- 1911-1936, during the reign of King George V
- Mints
- Mumbai and Kolkata
- Current custody
- Mata Basaiya police station, pending handover to the Archaeology Department