New Commemorative Coin: Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The Government of India will be issuing a ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the Birth Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Ministry of Finance has issued the gazette notification today confirming the same.

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16 this year at the age of 93, served as the Prime Minister of India for 13 days in 1996, 13 months in 1998, and for almost six years from 1999. In his honour, several places have been renamed, including four Himalayan peaks and Chhattisgarh's Naya Raipur, which has been renamed Atal Nagar. The Uttarakhand government has also decided to rename Dehradun airport after the former prime minister, and Lucknow's renowned 'Hazratganj Chauraha' will be renamed Atal Chowk.

The metal composition of the ₹100 coin will consist of a Quaternary Alloy, comprising 50% Silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel, and 5% Zinc. The coin will weigh 35 grams and have a diameter of 44 mm, featuring 200 serrations along the edge. The coin's description is as follows.

The obverse of the coin shall bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar in the center with the legend "सत्यमेव जयते" inscribed below. The left periphery will feature the word “भारत” in Devanagari script, and the right periphery will display the word “INDIA” in English. Additionally, the coin will feature the Rupee symbol “₹” and denominational value “100” in international numerals below the Lion Capitol.

The reverse of the coin shall bear the portrait of Atal Bihari Vajpayee  in the center of the coin. The inscription "अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी" in Devanagari script and “Atal Bihari Vajpayee” in English shall be written on the top left periphery and top Right periphery of the coin. The year “1924” and “2018” in international numeral shall be flanked at bottom of the portrait.

The commemoration will predominantly take place on Atalji's birth anniversary on December 25, 2018. Once again, there is no mention of the circulation of lower denomination commemorative coins.