There are over hundred coins in my collection of Indian coins. today I took a stock of what I have, and to my surprise I listed just over one hundred of the coins. Amazing... Of course, not all of these are currently in circulation, but majority are. And just between you and me, some people don’t accept few coins, though the exchequer says they are valid currency…
I sorted the coins by denomination and shot a photo. They are arranged from smallest face value to largest face value and last row is of the coins from the time when we were ruled by the Queen. These coins are no more in use. The photo is uploaded at (http://mulays.atwiki.com/file/open/30/myIndianCoins.JPG). Note: Row for 50 paisa is below one rupee, that’s mistake. Hope to change foto when there are significant number of coins to collection and in that image there would be improvements.
There are 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paisa and 1, 2 and 5 Rupees. 1 and 2 rupees have most number of coins. The reason may be that when exchequer lately issues special/commemorative coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Rupees (http://mumbaimint.org/), out of which Re.1/- is the easiest to get.
In my childhood I thought that whenever a commemorative coin is issued, it is issued in all denominations. Those were the days when I used to think that all the denominations are forever... they were, they are and they will be... But now I understand how value of money decreases and how value of coin's metal is related to coin's face value and why some coins are to be taken out of circulation… (and how people expel it on their own, just as 25 paisa coin are hardly accepted in my city now).
The Bombay mint site now shows that the commemorative coins are only issued in some denominations. So I left looking for one occasion’s coin in all denominations... and I know that 1, 2 and 5 are the coins that are most probably to find the new releases in.
I m currently looking for 5 rupee coin (Ferritic Stainless Steel variety ), Lokmanya Tilak ( I guess the normal Cupro Nickel variety it is) and a 75 years ( or is it 175? how many years since they invented an airplane?) of Indian Air force coin ( I guess it is in 1 and 2 Rupees denomination only ). Let’s see what all I can get. And I don't have coin in memory of Rana Pratap's... that is a one I would like to have in my collection.
Whether or not I get them, or whenever I get them, its good to look for coins. For me, some of the coins in my collection have interesting stories behind them.. Some are short stories and some are only incidences. But each one reminds me of something... and it takes me back to my good-old-childhood days.... (old and childhood???!!!)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
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