Second Panchatantra Coloured Souvenir Displayed at CNP, Nashik

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, inaugurated the second coloured souvenir token in the Panchatantra Series by showcasing the famous tale “The Crow and The Snake” at an exclusive exhibition on the “Evolution of Indian Currency.” 

The exhibition was organised by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) and held at the Currency Note Press, Nashik, from June 8 to 10, 2022.

The souvenir token is made of Nickel Silver, weighing 32 grams and measuring 44 mm in diameter. The obverse features the coloured SPMCIL logo along with the year, while the reverse depicts a scene from the Panchatantra tale “The Crow and The Snake,” surrounded by the corresponding legend.

The Panchatantra Series represents an interesting blend of India's ancient literary heritage and modern minting tradition. By transforming well-known animal fables into colourful souvenir tokens, the series brings timeless stories and their moral lessons to a new generation while creating distinctive collectibles for numismatists and enthusiasts.

“The Crow and The Snake” is a popular Panchatantra tale that highlights the importance of intelligence, planning, courage, and presence of mind. In the story, a crow and his mate face a snake that repeatedly threatens their young ones. Rather than confronting the stronger adversary directly, the crow uses a clever strategy to drive the snake away. The tale demonstrates how intelligence and careful planning can overcome physical strength.

The first coloured souvenir token in the Panchatantra Series was issued in February 2022, featuring the famous story “The Foolish Lion and The Clever Rabbit.” It was offered at a price of ₹1,093. The second issue, featuring “The Crow and The Snake,” continued the series with another well-known tale from this celebrated collection of Indian animal fables.

The showcasing of the second coloured token at the Evolution of Indian Currency exhibition was particularly noteworthy. Although the Panchatantra stories originated centuries ago, their representation on a modern coloured souvenir token demonstrates how India's traditional literature and cultural heritage continue to find new forms of preservation and presentation.