2012 - 60 Years of Kolkata Mint | Commemorative Coin

The first commemorative coin of 2012 was released to mark the celebration of 60 years of India Government Mint, Kolkata.

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, stands as one of the most historic minting institutions in the country, with a legacy that stretches back to the eighteenth century. However, its modern identity is closely associated with the Alipore Mint, which began operations in 1952 and completed 60 years of service by 2012. The establishment of the Alipore facility marked a new era in India’s minting history, as it replaced the older Calcutta Mint buildings and introduced improved technology, enhanced capacity, and a more organised system to meet the nation’s expanding coinage requirements in the decades following independence. Over these sixty years, the Kolkata Mint grew into a vital arm of India’s monetary framework, supplying circulation coins, medals, and commemorative issues with consistency and quality.

The origins of coin production in Kolkata date back to 1757, when the first mint in the city was set up under the East India Company. It later expanded into larger facilities, including the historic Old Silver Mint and the second Calcutta Mint structure, both of which served the subcontinent for over a century. Yet, by the mid-twentieth century, the growing scale of independent India’s economy demanded a more modern and efficient mint. This need led to the foundation of the new Alipore Mint, equipped with minting presses, improved metallurgical processes, and adequate space to support mass coin production. From its inception, the mint played a key role in striking coins for daily circulation and producing medals for government departments, academic institutions, and national honours.

By the time it completed its 60-year milestone in 2012, the India Government Mint, Kolkata was functioning under the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), which was formed in 2006 to grant greater autonomy and introduce forward-looking administrative reforms across India’s currency infrastructure. Under SPMCIL, the Kolkata Mint undertook modernisation drives that enhanced quality standards and accelerated production timelines. Its engravers, craftspeople, and technical teams contributed to producing coins of refined finish, reliable weight and composition, and accurate design features that matched international minting benchmarks. The mint’s contribution extended beyond circulation needs, as it became a major centre for crafting commemorative coins celebrating national events, anniversaries, and eminent personalities.

Kolkata Mint also gained recognition among collectors for its commemorative coin artistry, which combined technical precision with cultural depth. Many of its special issues became objects of admiration in numismatic circles, reflecting India’s historical narratives through their detailed motifs. Additionally, the mint preserved fragments of its long heritage through collections and archival artefacts associated with earlier mint buildings, particularly the Old Silver Mint, which stands as a reminder of Kolkata’s centuries-old association with coinage.

As of 2012, completing 60 years since its inauguration, the India Government Mint, Kolkata symbolised both continuity and transformation. It carried forward an unbroken legacy of coin production inherited from its predecessors while representing the progress of modern minting in independent India. Its six decades at Alipore stand testimony to its enduring role in nation building, contributing to the country’s economy, its numismatic heritage, and the everyday lives of millions who have used the coins emerging from its presses.

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