The road finally came to an end for the humble 25 paise coin a couple of years back when the RBI withdrew it from circulation on June 30, 2011. Coins of denomination of 25 paise and below are not accepted for exchange at the bank branches anymore. We trace the history of the 25 paise coin from the British era to contemporary India.

1830s: The first of the quarter rupee coins were issued in India during the reign of William IV. The coins were made of silver.

1840s: The longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria also held the title of the Empress of India. During her reign a number of quarter rupee coins were issued. Soon after her ascent to the throne, a silver quarter rupee coin was issued in India. The coins featured the bust of a young Queen Victoria. She was made the queen soon after her 18th birthday

1870s: The coins issued later in Queen Victoria’s reign had a more mature looking bust of the queen. The....