Possible Coins to Look Forward to in the 2nd Half of 2024

The first six months of 2024 saw the release of as many as 10 commemorative coins, featuring themes such as the 75th Republic Day Celebrations, Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, and Bhagwan Mahaveer’s 2550th Nirvan Kalyanak. This period also marked the release of the long-delayed 'Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji' coin in February 2024, and a new ₹90 coin to celebrate the 90 Years of the Reserve Bank of India.

As we enter the second half of 2024, several potential themes might be considered by the Government of India in the upcoming months. It's important to note that only the commemorative coin for the '125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab' has been officially gazette notified by the Ministry of Finance.

25th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas

A year-long program to celebrate the silver jubilee of the country's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, which began last year, will conclude on July 26, 2024. A ₹25 or a ₹100 coin is likely to be issued.

75 Years of Indian Constitution

A ₹75 coin might be issued to mark the occasion on November 26, 2024, celebrated as Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhān Divas or National Law Day.

75 Years of Supreme Court of India

A ₹75 coin is likely to be issued to mark the diamond jubilee celebration of the apex court's establishment in 1950. In 1999, ₹50 and ₹2 coins were issued to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Supreme Court of India.

150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

A ₹150 coin is likely to be issued to commemorate the Iron Man of India. Various events, seminars, and initiatives have been organized across the nation to honor his memory and reaffirm the commitment to the ideals he championed.

Birth Centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most prominent political figures, is on December 25, 2024. It is highly possible that a ₹100 coin will be issued, as the NDA has retained its government by winning the 18th Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, in 2018, a ₹100 coin was issued to mark his birth anniversary.

India Meteorological Department (IMD)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is celebrating 150 years of service from January 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025. There is speculation that the Government of India may issue a commemorative coin of ₹150 in 2024-2025 to mark this significant milestone.

Certainly, there might be unexpected themes taking place in 2024, just as there were surprises in 2023. However, some themes like the 350th Year of Chhatrapati Shivaji's Coronation, Birth Centenary of M. Karunanidhi, Birth Centenary of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, 125th Birth Anniversary of Alluri Sitaram Raju, 150th Birth Anniversary of Pingali Venkayya, and 125th Birth Anniversary of Potti Sreeramulu also hold significance for the issuance of commemorative coins.

Apart from commemorative coins, there is a possibility of issuing a new definitive series or possibly reverting to the Agriculture or Grain Series as the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav series potentially loses relevance with the approach of the 78th year of Independence.

These are potential commemorative themes and are confirmed only after the issuance of gazette notifications from the Ministry of Finance. With the rise in silver prices and the issuance of multiple themes, it would be beneficial if the India Government Mint starts issuing commemorative coins in Nickel-Silver or Cupro-Nickel for proof sets priced below ₹1500. This approach would support both the collector and dealer communities, rather than relying on Quaternary alloy or Pure silver.