Numismatics Collections

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a clarification stating that banknotes bearing a star (*) symbol in the number panel are genuine and fully valid legal tender, carrying the same value as any other currency note. In its official press release, dated July 27, 2023, the RBI noted, “It has come to the notice of the Reserve Bank that the validity of banknotes with a Star (*) symbol present on the number panel has recently been the subject of discussions on some social media platforms. In this connection, it is informed that the Star symbol is inserted in the number panel of a banknote that is used as a replacement for defectively printed banknotes in a packet of 100 pieces of serially numbered banknotes.  A banknote with a Star (*) symbol is identical to any other legal banknote, except that in the number panel a Star symbol is added between the prefix and the serial number. The Star symbol is an identifier that it is a replaced/reprinted banknote.” The introduction of star bankno...

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, released the ₹75 and ₹100 commemorative coins along with special postage stamps to mark India’s G20 Presidency , while inaugurating the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on July 26, 2023. The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, along with several other Union Ministers, government officials, and leading industry experts, was present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister began with a poem capturing the nation’s renewed spirit, describing Bharat Mandapam as a symbol of India’s capability and willpower. He praised the Shramiks for their dedication and paid tribute to the martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. He explained that the name Bharat Mandapam draws inspiration from the ‘Anubhav Mandapam’ of Bhagwan Basaveshwara, reflecting India’s tradition of dialogue. As India marks 75 years of Independence, he said the venue will showcase the nation...

The Additional General Manager (Tech) of India Government Mint, Kolkata, Shri Gorakhnath Yadav, recently shared several valuable insights in an exclusive interview conducted by Mr. Prem Pues Kumar. The discussion offered collectors rare clarity on multiple aspects of minting operations, coin quality, and future plans of the India Government Mint. During the conversation, Shri Yadav provided important guidance regarding the quality standards followed in the production of circulation coins and souvenir tokens. He explained how each piece undergoes stringent checks to ensure consistency, while also acknowledging the practical limitations that arise during mass production — an area often misunderstood by collectors. The official also revealed exciting updates about upcoming coloured souvenir tokens and potential future commemorative issues , reflecting the mint’s continuous efforts to innovate and appeal to modern numismatists. He addressed popular questions on whether individuals can pro...

The Government of India will issue  commemorative coins of ₹100 and ₹75 on occasion of India's G20 Presidency .  The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 24, 2023, confirming these coins. India holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. As the nation ramps up its preparation to hold the summit in 2023. India will organise more than 200 events spread across major cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc., as part of the summit.  The theme for India's G20 Presidency is in sync with the key template of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s foreign policy - "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth-One Family-One Future". The metal composition of both the denominations of ₹100 and ₹75 coin will be Quaternary Alloy (50% Silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel and 5% Zinc). The weight of the coins will be 35 grams and 44 mm in diameter with 200 serrations at the edge. The description of the coin is as below.  Ob...

The India Government Mint, Hyderabad, has opened bookings for the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav coins in two special package. The bookings are open from July 14, 2023, and it is subject to limited availability. The special pack contains all five denominations — ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 and ₹20 — and is priced at ₹500 per set. Issued as part of the definitive coin series commemorating the 75th Year of Independence , this collection was introduced to highlight India’s journey through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav .  It is important to note that the coins included in this pack are standard circulation strikes; they are not Proof or UNC quality sets, but rather regular issues presented in a specially designed commemorative package. These coin sets can be purchased either at the mint premises or through the  official website  of the India Government Mint, with updates available in the  current and upcoming bookings  section.

The Additional Charge of Chairman and Managing Director of SPMCIL, Shri Sunil Kumar Sinha, released a commemorative souvenir token celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the India Government Mint, Hyderabad on July 13, 2023, at the Mint Museum in Saifabad. The ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including Shri Ajay Agarwal, Director (Finance), SPMCIL, Shri Srikara Pradhan, Chief General Manager, Security Printing Press, Hyderabad, Shri V. N. R. Nayudu, Chief General Manager, India Government Mint, Hyderabad, Dr. Deme Raja Reddy, and other officials who gathered to celebrate this historic milestone. The souvenir tokens, crafted in both silver and copper, pay tribute to the mint’s remarkable legacy and its significant contributions to the field of coinage and minting in India.  Each piece reflects the mint’s long-standing tradition of excellence, dating back to its origins under the Nizam and continuing through its modern role as a key unit of SPMCIL.  In his ...

The India Government Mint, Mumbai, has opened the bookings for the ₹75  commemorative coin  issued to mark the  International Year of Millets 2023 . The bookings are open from July 13, 2023 to August 23, 2023. Earlier, the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the ₹75 coin, postage stamp and special cover on International Year of Millets 2023 while inaugurating the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, on March 18, 2023 at New Delhi. The event was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar; Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya; Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal; and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary and Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, among others. The Proof Set is priced at ₹3,880 and the UNC Set at ₹3,360 for t...

The India Government Mint, Hyderabad will be issuing a souvenir token to celebrate its 120th Anniversary with the numismatic meet on July 13, 2023. The programme schedule of the function is as below. India Government Mint, Hyderabad—one of the four mints under the Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL)—has a rich legacy dating back more than two centuries. Established in 1803 as the Royal Mint under the Nizam of Hyderabad, it played a key role in producing coinage for the princely state. After India’s independence, the mint was taken over by the Government of India in 1950. In 2001, operations were shifted from the historic Saifabad premises to a modern facility at Cherlapally, where the mint became fully operational with upgraded machinery and enhanced production capacity. A landmark moment arrived on June 7, 2022, when SPMCIL reopened the iconic Saifabad Mint as a Mint Museum, coinciding with the celebrations of 75 years of India’s independence (Azadi ...

The Lokmat Newspaper reported that the commemorative coin marking the Birth Centenary of Jawaharlal Darda was scheduled for release on July 2, 2023. However, it appears that no formal release ceremony took place. In its front-page coverage, Lokmat featured both the coin and the postage stamp, stating: “In tribute to Jawaharlal Darda's significant contributions to the nation, the Government of India released a 5-Rupee postage stamp in 2005 and a 100-Rupee coin in 2023.” Earlier, on February 18, 2023, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended the Birth Centenary celebrations of freedom fighter and founder of Lokmat, Shri Jawaharlal Ji Darda, and also marked the completion of 50 years of the Lokmat Nagpur Edition in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Images published by Lokmat confirm that the ₹100 commemorative coin was minted by the India Government Mint, Mumbai. It is important to note that a “release function” does not necessarily mean a public event or large gat...

The Government of India will be issuing a ₹500  commemorative coin  to mark the  500th Birth Anniversary of Rani Durgavati .  The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, announced that the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgavati will be celebrated at the national level by the Ministry of Culture on October 5, 2023. To mark this historic occasion, a commemorative coin will be issued, along with a special postal stamp and a dedicated film showcasing her extraordinary life and legacy. Rani Durgavati (5 October 1524 – 24 June 1564), the valiant Queen of Gondwana, ruled from 1550 until 1564. Married to Dalpat Shah, the son of King Sangram Shah of the Garha Kingdom, she is revered for her unwavering courage and heroic resistance against the Mughal Empire. Her sacrifice in defending her kingdom has cemented her place among India's most inspiring women warriors. In his address, the Prime Minister sought the cooperation and blessings of the pe...