The Kuka Movement: The Story Behind the ₹100 and ₹5 Coins

The then Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram released the commemorative coin with the denominations of ₹100 and ₹5 marking 150 years of Kuka Movement on October 5, 2012, few knew that the coin was designed by Ludhiana's Mr. Jeevandeep Singh.

The then Minister for Tourism and Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni, announced that an event related to the Kuka Movement would be included in the suggested list of anniversaries to be observed during the 2007-08 commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the First War of Independence and related events. The Indian Council of Historical Research vetted the list and identified the date of the Kuka Movement event as April 20, 1872. The suggested list was circulated to all State and Union Territory Governments, encouraging them to organize functions in collaboration with all sections of society.

A numismatist and resident of Chandigarh, Mr. Jeevandeep created the design in 2009 and handed it over to Sant Surinder Singh Namdhari, the vice-chairman of the Kuka Martyr Memorial Trust which was later forwarded to the Mint and the design was approved by the Coin and Currency Division of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

It is also worth noting that the initial design did not include the Rupee symbol. However, the coins were eventually issued with the Rupee symbol, as it had already been implemented in 2011.

Unfortunately, the India Government Mint does not acknowledge coin designers or engravers in its write-ups for issued coins, unlike the British Royal Mint or US Mint, which give due credit to their designers.

In addition to the 150 years of Kuka Movement (2012), commemorative coins on Sikh themes have been issued for the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Centenary (2008), Tercentenary of Gur-Ta-Gaddi (2008), 350th Prakash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh (2018), 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (2019), 400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (2022), and the 2nd Birth Centenary of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji (2024).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Commemorative Coin: Shiromani Jainacharya Vidyasagar

Image
The Government of India will issue a ₹100  commemorative coin  on first Samadhi Divas of Sant Shiromani Digambar Jainacharya Vidyasagar Mahamuniraj . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on January 31, 2025, confirming this coin. Sant Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj is a revered Digambar Jain acharya known for his profound spiritual wisdom, literary contributions, and dedication to Jain principles. Born in 1946 in Karnataka, he renounced worldly life at an early age and embraced asceticism under the guidance of Acharya Gyansagar Ji Maharaj. His teachings emphasize non-violence, truth, self-discipline, and renunciation. He has played a pivotal role in reviving Jain literature and establishing educational and charitable institutions. His selfless service and commitment to Jain values continue to inspire countless followers on the path of righteousness. The  metal composition  of the ₹100 coin will consist of a Quaternary Alloy, comprising 50% Silver, 40% Co...
Read more

New Commemorative Coin: Bharat Scouts and Guides

Image
The Government of India will issue a  commemorative coin  with a denomination of ₹75 to celebrate the ' 75 Years of the Bharat Scouts and Guides '. The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on January 6, 2025, confirming this coin. The Bharat Scouts and Guides is a national organization in India dedicated to fostering the holistic development of young individuals. Established in 1950, it promotes values like leadership, teamwork, and community service through activities such as camping, skill-building, and social work. Guided by the motto "Be Prepared," the organization empowers boys and girls to become responsible citizens and contribute meaningfully to society while fostering unity, discipline, and a love for nature. The  metal composition  of the ₹75 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 e...
Read more

Join the 16th National Numismatic Exhibition this February

Image
The much-anticipated 16th National Numismatic Exhibition (NNE) 2025, Asia's largest showcase of coins, banknotes, and stamps, is set to take place on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2025. Organized by Marudhar Arts , India’s leading numismatic auction house, this event promises to be a landmark occasion for numismatists and enthusiasts alike. The venue for this grand gathering is Shikshak Sadan, KG Road, Majestic, Bengaluru 560002. The exhibition will also host the Floor and Real-Time Live Auction on February 22, 2025, starting at 11:30 AM. Interested participants can register at Marudhar Arts to join the bidding, which features an exclusive array of collectibles.   Over 100 dealers from across India will participate in this prestigious event, offering a wide variety of items for sale. In addition to the dealers’ booths, collectors will display their prized collections, providing a unique opportunity to view remarkable numismatic and philatelic items. The exhibition will also ...
Read more