Govt Plans Grand Function for 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

The Government of India will issue a commemorative coin of ₹150 to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Ministry of Finance issued the gazette notification on August 22, 2019, confirming the coin.

The preparations are in progress for a grand event at Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad to mark the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The October 2 program is among the various events scheduled to observe this occasion, as stated in a government-issued statement on Friday. According to the statement, a meeting of the Executive Committee for commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation was convened, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The metal composition of the ₹150 coin will consist of Pure Silver (99.9%). The coin will weigh 40 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 will showcase the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar at the center, accompanied by the inscription "सत्यमेव जयते" below. The word “भारत” and "INDIA" will be positioned at the right and left periphery, respectively, with the Rupee Symbol "₹” and the denomination value of “500” in International Numerals placed below the Ashoka Lion Capital.

On the reverse side of the coin, Mahatma Gandhi's portrait, holding the iconic hand-carrying stick, will be featured. A numeral 150, creatively crafted from iconic articles associated with Mahatma Gandhi, will accompany the inscription “Years of Celebrating the Mahatma” in English beside the portrait. The top periphery will bear the inscription “150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi” in English, while below it, the inscription "महात्मा गांधी की 150 वीं जयंती" in Devanagri script will be engraved on the coin. The international numeral representation of the years “1869-2019” will flank above the numeral 150 on the coin.

This signifies the inaugural release of a commemorative coin in pure silver in the history of Republic India coinage, adding a significant milestone to the numismatic legacy of the nation.