Which of the following statements are correct?
A. In 1837, the gold coins were issued in the name of Queen Victoria.
B. In 1840, the gold and silver coins were issued in the name of Queen Victoria.
C. In 1862, a new series of coins of all denominations and in all three metals was issued with changed devices.
D. These coins continued to be minted till 1872 or 1874 with the constant date 1862.
E. In 1877, while retaining the general design used for the coins so far, the word QUEEN was substituted with the word EMPRESS on the obverse.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

The issuance of gold and silver coins in the name of Queen Victoria began in 1840 (not 1837), so statement A is incorrect. Statement B is correct as coins with Queen Victoria’s name were issued starting 1840. In 1862, a new series of coins with different designs in gold, silver, and copper was issued (C). These coins with the date 1862 were minted continuously until 1872 or 1874 (D). In 1877, the word "QUEEN" was replaced by "EMPRESS" on the coins to reflect Queen Victoria’s new title of Empress of India (E). Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Information Booster:

The coinage changes during Queen Victoria's reign reflected important political developments, especially the formal assumption of the title Empress of India after the British Crown took over the administration from the East India Company in 1858. The coinage served not only as  currency but also as a political symbol reinforcing British imperial authority in India.