Numismatics Collections

The most crucial tool for coin collectors is undoubtedly a magnifier lens. Every collector should possess at least one, as it plays a vital role in the examination of coins. A magnifier's rating indicates the increase in size of the image. A 1-power magnifier displays a correctly sized image, while a 10X magnifier shows the image 10 times larger than normal, with "X" denoting "times." Never should a coin be examined solely with the unaided eye, whether you're buying or selling. Seasoned collectors often sport a magnifier hanging from a lanyard around their necks. When investing in a magnifier, opt for glass lenses over plastic, as the former tends to be more durable, lasting a lifetime. Personally, I use a 14X lens purchased in 1967 that remains scratch-free despite numerous trips to the floor. For collectors, having a low-power lens for observing multiple coins and a stronger lens for scrutinizing specific details is essential. A low-power lens typically al...

Archaeologists, asserting Patan block of Durg district as an ancient trade center, were elated when a collection of 200 ancient coins from the Mughal era was unearthed four feet beneath the ground in the village of Bothli on Tuesday. Initially discovered by a group of laborers while digging the ground to install a pole, the workers promptly reported their find to the village sarpanch, who, in turn, submitted the coins to the collector's office. According to archaeologist JR Bhagat from the state culture and archaeology department, "Approximately 200 silver coins dating back to the Mughal era were found in a copper vessel at village Bothli in the Gadadih region, along the banks of the Kharun river. The coins and the site are currently under inspection, and we are working to determine which ruler the coins belong to. The site is situated amidst human habitats. The coins bear inscriptions in Arabic, and archaeologists are diligently deciphering their meaning. As we delve into thi...

Before its annexation by the British Empire, Burma lacked its own banknotes. Following the three Anglo-Burmese annexations, Burma became a province of India instead of an independent colony. Consequently, Banknotes of India were used in Burma after the British occupation of lower Burma in 1824. With the enactment of the Indian Paper Money Act in March 1862, granting the Government of India power over the issue and circulation of banknotes in India, these notes were also circulated in Burma. The Currency Department established a Circle of Issue at Rangoon in 1882. Even after its separation from the Indian Empire in 1935, Burma continued to be under the financial administration of the Indian Government. This unique situation led to the Central Monetary Authority of India issuing notes for Burma, marking the only instance where one country issued notes valid in another during civilian rule—a remarkable event in the history of paper money. The initial overprinted issue was succeeded by a s...

The India Government Mint, Mumbai, has reopened bookings for previously issued commemorative coins .  The  bookings began on November 17, 2017,  and it is subject to limited availability. The commemorative themes available for booking are Banaras Hindu University Centenary Year , 125th Birth Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru , and the Silver Jubilee of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board . All themes are offered in both Proof and UNC sets, packaged in folder or blister formats. The Banaras Hindu University set includes ₹100 and ₹10 coins, priced at ₹3,676 for the Proof Set and ₹3,138 for the UNC Set. The Jawaharlal Nehru set features ₹125 and ₹5 coins, priced at ₹3,615 for the Proof Set and ₹3,077 for the UNC Set. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board set includes ₹25, ₹10, and ₹5 coins, priced at ₹4,256 for the Proof Set and ₹3,523 for the UNC Set. While these prices are approximately 20% higher than the initial release prices, they remain reasonable, especially when com...

For some collectors, tokens form a core aspect of their numismatic pursuits. Various factors contribute to this preference, ranging from historical interest to the sheer novelty of these pieces. The featured token, for instance, is a trader’s token made of pressed aluminum from the US, dating back to circa 1940. This token would have been redeemable for a discount of 5 cents, perhaps on a purchase of root beer or a similar item. Massman’s place 5c token Collecting tokens often comes naturally alongside coin collecting. Opportunities to acquire tokens arise in various ways—sometimes included as a gift by sellers, obtained through swaps with fellow collectors, or encountered at tourist attractions with penny press machines. In the UK, for example, many aquariums feature penny press machines, which are also found across Europe and the US, including at popular sites like Madame Tussauds in London. For regular tourists, it is inexpensive and enjoyable to build a folder of these pressed penn...

The Government of India will be issuing commemorative coin  with denominations of ₹1000 and ₹10 to mark the Shree Jagannath Nabakalebara Festival . The Ministry of Finance issued the official gazette notification on July 5, 2017, confirming the release of this theme. Nabakalebara is a symbolic ritual involving the recreation of the wooden forms of the four deities at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. In this tradition, the wooden idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshana are periodically renewed. The ceremony is observed every 8th, 12th, or 19th year following the previous Nabakalebara. The year for Nabakalebara is determined using the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically by identifying a year that has two Ashadhas (Doashadhas)—the month of Ashadha with two full moons. To balance the lunar and solar years, every three years a lunar month, known as Adhimasa or Malamasa, is inserted. A year with an extra Ashadha month is considered highly auspicious for conducting the ceremo...

Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was a formidable ruler in 18th-century India, and his coins bear witness to the rich history of his reign. These coins, predominantly silver, feature intricate designs reflecting the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the Mysorean era. Many depict Tipu Sultan on the obverse, showcasing his distinctive attire and regal stance, while the reverse often displays symbols and inscriptions of his kingdom. The coinage of Tipu Sultan is not merely a numismatic artifact; it's a historical testament to his resistance against colonial forces. His coins carry inscriptions in Persian, Arabic, and Kannada, emphasizing the cultural diversity of his kingdom. Tipu Sultan (1782-1799) Gold pagoda, Nagar, AH 1199, RY 3 Weight: 3.42 gm. Diameter: 12 mm Die axis: 1 o'clock Persian letter He (for Haidar Ali, Tipu's father), along with mint name Nagar and numeral 3 (regnal year) Legend, including AH date 1199 (= 1785-86 CE) Reference: KM 10...

Few days back, posted about the launch of  New Mintage World ₹5 Coin Album . Ordered it and the album got delivered within 48 hours. As you see in the below video, the coin album is damaged in the corners due to bad packing. Hope they will start using the bubble wrap to protect the items during transit. Still the album is of good quality especially the internal sheets. It would have been better if the size of the coin pouches were small as it was meant to store 5 rupees coins. Coming to reference guide, expected a lot more like information on all the ₹5 commemorative coin releases, but mintage world team has stated as providing definitive 5 releases of circulation from 1992 to 2017 and they seems targeting only for the beginners. Still good information having in form of booklet. Over all, the coin album is very much satisfactory considering that it's a starting effort and more need to come.

The India Government Mint, Hyderabad has reopened bookings for UNC sets of lower-denomination commemorative coins . If you were searching for these coins or missed the previous booking window, you now have another opportunity to place your order. These sets are issued in folder or blister packaging and are priced at ₹333 for the ₹5 coin themes and ₹381 for the ₹10 coin themes. These are the below themes issued for the re-bookings: Birth Centenary of Begum Akhtar ( ₹5) 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar 175th Birth Anniversary of Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata ( ₹5) BHEL - 50 Years of Engineering Excellence ( ₹5) 150th Anniversary of Allahabad High Court ( ₹5) National Archives of India (₹10) Birth Centenary of Swami Chinmayananda (₹10) Banaras Hindu University Centenary (₹10) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (₹5) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (₹10) 475th Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap (₹10) These coin sets can be purchased either at the mint premises or thro...

Coin collectors in India have long admired the impressive range of global coin albums—whether it is Dansco, WHSmith, or specialty collections such as the 5 Cents Jefferson Nickels or 5 Cents Canada albums. Each time collectors come across these beautifully crafted albums, there is a recurring thought: When will we have a premium rupee album dedicated to our own commemorative and circulating coins? The wait has finally come to an end. Mintage World has taken the first significant step by launching an exclusive ₹5 Coin Album, offering Indian collectors a much-needed organized and high-quality storage solution. According to their official blog, the album is crafted using premium materials and includes a well-designed information booklet. This booklet provides detailed insights about every definitive ₹5 coin released into circulation from 1992 to 2017, making it both a storage solution and a reference guide. The album consists of eight sturdy sheets, each capable of holding 20 coins, o...