New Commemorative Coin: Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami

The Government of India will issue a commemorative coin of ₹150 to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad. The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on February 1, 2024, confirming this coin.

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, born as Bimala Prasad Datt, was an eminent Indian Gaudīya Vaisnava Hindu guru, ācārya (philosophy instructor), and revivalist in early twentieth-century India. To his followers, he was revered as Srila Prabhupāda, an honorific later extended to his disciple A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

In November 2023, UNESCO included the "150th Birth Anniversary of Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada," a philosopher, social reformer, and eminent spiritual leader, in its list of anniversaries for celebration.

The metal composition of the ₹150 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.

Obverse: The face of the coin shall bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar in the center with the legend "सत्यमेव जयते" inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word “भारत” in Devanagari script and on the right periphery with the word “INDIA” in English. It shall also bear the Rupee symbol “₹” and denominational value “150” in the international numerals below the Lion Capitol.

Reverse: This face of coin shall bear the image of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad in the centre of the coin. The inscription “श्रील भक्ति सिद्धन्त सरस्वती गोस्वमी प्रभुपाद की 150वीं जयंती” shall be written in Devanagari script on the upper periphery and the inscription “150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad” in English is depicted on the lower periphery of the coin. The year “1874” and “2024” in international numeral shall be written in between the Devanagari and English script on the left & right side of the coin respectively.

The anticipation of this commemorative coin was discussed in this blog as early as January 2024. Earlier, in 2021, a ₹125 coin was released in honour of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The possibility and upcoming coins page have been updated for your reference.