Why Are ₹10 Coins Still Not Widely Accepted?
Many people are unaware that India’s first ₹10 coin was minted in 1969 to commemorate the Birth Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi , followed by issues marking the 25th Anniversary of the FAO in 1970 and 1971 , and the 25th Anniversary of Independence in 1972 . Although these were circulating commemorative coins, they were struck in silver alloys and released only in limited quantities. The modern Bi-Metallic ₹10 coin was introduced in 2005, but it initially faced widespread disapproval due to perceived poor quality. The familiar preference for banknotes and the easy availability of newly designed ₹10 notes further slowed public acceptance. Since the cost of minting a ₹10 Bi-Metallic coin is relatively low—almost comparable to a ₹5 nickel-brass coin—its intrinsic metal value never exceeded its face value, making it unsuitable for melting or resale in grey markets. This diminished speculative interest in the coins, though small-scale duplication still emerged, estimated at about 1–2% of total...