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International Year of the Child and the Global Piedfort Coinage

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The International Year of the Child holds a fascinating place in the history of modern commemorative coinage . Proclaimed by the United Nations for 1979, the initiative brought unprecedented international attention to the rights, welfare, health, education and development of children. Although 1979 was officially designated as the International Year of the Child, the commemorative programme associated with the theme continued well beyond that year, with countries issuing International Year of the Child coins in 1980, 1981 and 1982. Among the most interesting of these issues were the special piedfort coins struck by a number of countries. The origins of the International Year of the Child predated its official designation. In 1973, Canon Joseph Moerman of the International Catholic Child Bureau began campaigning for an international year devoted to children. The proposal gradually gained support from non-governmental organisations and United Nations member states, and in 1976 the Unit...
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Hyderabad Mint Lists ₹50 Project Tiger Diary Set

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The India Government Mint, Hyderabad has listed the dairy type set featuring the two ₹50 commemorative coins issued to mark the 50 Years of Project Tiger in 2023. The bookings commenced on October 13, 2026, and the set is being offered in limited quantities. The internal design of this diary set closely resembles that of the recently issued Printed Artwork Background Frame . The India Government Mint, Hyderabad, has priced the set, which contains two ₹50 commemorative coins and a pen, at ₹23,380. However, the India Government Mints continue to charge a substantial premium, largely attributed to the different types of packaging offered. While there will always be collectors willing to purchase these sets regardless of the price, and some may eventually sell out, such demand is unlikely to be sustainable in the long run.  This dairy type set is currently available exclusively through the official website of the India Government Mint.
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New Commemorative Coin: Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain

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The Government of India will issue a ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the  Birth Centenary of Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on October 9, 2026, confirming this coin. Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain (1925–1997), popularly honoured as Sangeet Samrat and Sur Samrat, was a distinguished musician, composer, philanthropist and cultural personality. Born in Multan, he made significant contributions to devotional music, theatre and the Indian film industry. His compositions reflected devotion, patriotism and Indian cultural values, while his philanthropic activities supported education, religion and social welfare. He also encouraged young talent through musical and cultural initiatives. His life remains an example of how music, spirituality, enterprise and service can come together in the preservation and promotion of India's cultural heritage. The commemorative coin is expected to be released as part of the birth centenary celebrations of Shri...
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Mumbai Mint Begins Bookings for UPSC Commemorative Coin Sets

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The India Government Mint, Mumbai, has started the bookings for the ₹100 commemorative coin issued to mark the Centenary of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The bookings are open from October 6, 2026, and it is subject to limited availability. Earlier, on October 1, 2026, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, released the ₹100 coin and postage stamp to mark the event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The ₹100 coin has currently been issued in a Proof Set with Booklet packaging, priced at ₹15,485. Among recent issues, the India Government Mints have predominantly released commemorative coin sets only in Proof, with UNC sets not being made available. It remains to be seen whether this issue will also be offered as an UNC Set for collectors. It should be noted that the above price is the initial issue price and is subject to revision. Given the significant fluctuations in silver prices, the Mint may review and revise the price from time to time, including on a day-...
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Kolkata Mint Starts Bookings for Military Nursing Service Coin Sets

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The India Government Mint, Kolkata, has started the bookings for the ₹100  commemorative coin issued to to mark the  Centenary Celebration of the Military Nursing Service . The bookings are open from October 5, 2026, and it is subject to limited availability. Earlier, on September 30, 2026, the Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, released the ₹100 coin at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh; Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain; Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja; Lieutenant General C. G. Muralidharan; Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Shri Manish Tripathi; along with senior officers of the Armed Forces, ex-servicemen and other distinguished guests graced the occasion. The ₹100 coin has currently been issued in a Proof Set with Booklet packaging, priced at ₹8,337. Among recent issues, the India Government Mints have predominantly released commemorative coin sets only in Proof, with UNC sets not being...
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Govt Should Rethink on QA and Pure Silver Commemorative Coins

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The Government of India, for many years, has issued commemorative coins in Silver Alloy, commonly referred to as Quaternary Alloy, and later increasingly in Pure Silver, introduced in 2019. The traditional Silver Alloy commemorative coins generally weigh around 35 grams and measure 44 mm in diameter, while Pure Silver issues commonly weigh 40 grams with the same 44 mm diameter. The India Government Mints have issued these commemorative coins predominantly through collector-oriented Proof and Uncirculated sets, and these specifications have become familiar among collectors and formed an important part of India's modern commemorative coinage, as the non-circulating commemorative coinage of the Republic of India has not undergone considerable changes in terms of metal composition . However, the introduction of Nickel Silver (Copper-Nickel-Zinc) as a primary composition last year has opened a more affordable segment aimed at collectors. A further change in the weight and size of Sil...
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PM Modi Releases ₹100 Coin on Union Public Service Commission

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The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, released the ₹100 commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the Centenary of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) today, on October 1, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also released a book titled ‘100 Landmark Judgements – Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India’. The release ceremony was attended by the Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Shri Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shri P. K. Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Shri T. V. Somanathan, Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Members of State Public Service Commissions, senior officers of the Government of India, academicians, UPSC officials, and other stakeholders from across the country. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister described the UPSC’s centenary as a celebration of...
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