The Grand Clock of Kolkata GPO was installed after 10 years after the current GPO building was established. The main building of Kolkata GPO was completed in the year 1868, and the clock was installed in the year 1896. The clock has been a integral part of the Kolkata GPO since its first day in service.

The above Special Cover was issued on 15th March 2024, during a 6 day long celebration of 250 Years of Kolkata GPO. The Special Cover depicts a bell which was installed along with the clock; and a image of the Grand Clock of Kolkata GPO.

The Price of the Grand Clock

The Grand Clock of Kolkata GPO was purchased from London for Rs. 7000; and was supplied by the Big Ben Company. If we do a simple analysis about the market value of then and now; we shall get to know that at that time, 15 rupees made a “bori” of gold, which is 11.66 grams. From where this 15 Rupees came from? If we do a study in numismatics, we shall see that when this clock was purchased, there was one more currency in India, which was not so popular – Mohur. 1 Mohur was made of 15 Rupees at that time. Currently, the price of gold is almost Rs. 65,000 per 10 grams (24k). Let us consider it to be equal purity of gold of that time and of 11.66 grams and continue.

So, the calculation goes –

Price of 15 Rupees in current time = Rs. 65,000
Price of 1 Rupee in current time = Rs. 65,000 / 15 = Rs. 4333
Price of 7000 Rupees in current time = Rs. 4333 × 7000 = 30,33,100
Thus, it is a fact that the cost of The Grand Clock of Kolkata GPO is more than 3 million Rupees.