Numismatics Collections

The Coin Fest 2025, organised by the Numismatic Society of Calcutta (NSC) and held at Haldiram Banquet Hall from July 25th to 27th, has turned into a landmark event—an eye-opener for other numismatic exhibitions across India.  Image Courtesy: Mr. Prem Pues Kumar and Mr. Nabarun Mallik What was intended to be a well-curated event for collectors and enthusiasts to gather, learn, and trade rare coins and currency notes turned unexpectedly chaotic due to a massive influx of people misled by fake news propagated on social media. Thousands, from regions as far-flung as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh, arrived at the venue with the false hope of earning lakhs by selling ordinary coins and banknotes that hold no numismatic value. This disturbing trend has stemmed from a barrage of misleading videos and reels posted by irresponsible content creators who, in their pursuit of views and monetisation, exploit the aspirations of daily wage earners and the underprivileged by f...

The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled a ₹1000 commemorative coin to celebrate the ' 1000 Years of Naval Expedition of Emperor Rajendra Chola I ' during his visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district on July 27, 2025. The event was attended by the Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R.N. Ravi, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, along with other dignitaries. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tamil Nadu today. Bowing before the almighty Lord Shiva, he reflected on the profound spiritual energy experienced during the divine Shiva Darshan in the sacred land of Raja Raja Chola, accompanied by the soul-stirring music of Shri Ilaiyaraaja and the sacred chanting of the Odhuvars. Shri Modi remarked that the spiritual atmosphere deeply moved his soul. Highlighting the significance of the holy month of Sa...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100  commemorative coin  to mark the  105th Birth Anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 24, 2025, confirming this coin. Acharya Shri Mahapragya was a revered Jain monk, spiritual teacher, and visionary thinker who served as the tenth Acharya of the Jain Terapanth sect. Born in 1920, he dedicated his life to non-violence, meditation, and ethical living. The  metal composition  of the ₹100 coin will consist of Pure Silver (99.9%). The coin will weigh 40 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 th...

The Government of India will issue a ₹1000  commemorative coin  to celebrate the 1000 Years of Naval Expedition of Emperor Rajendra Chola - I . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 24, 2025, confirming this coin. In the 11th century, Rajendra Chola I led a remarkable northern military expedition that extended the Chola Empire to the Gangetic plains, earning him the title “Gangaikondan.” To commemorate this victory, he founded the city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in present-day Ariyalur district and built the majestic Brihadisvara Temple, symbolizing Chola power and architectural brilliance. The 1000th Anniversary of this historic conquest in 2025 stands as a tribute to Rajendra Chola’s enduring legacy and his pivotal role in shaping South India’s imperial and cultural identity. The Ministry of Culture is set to celebrate the birth anniversary of the illustrious Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I with the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival, scheduled from July 23 to...

In 2018, the Government of India issued commemorative coins in denominations of ₹125 and ₹5 to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis , a visionary statistician and the founder of the Indian Statistical Institute.  While the ₹125 coin was issued as a non-circulating commemorative, the ₹5 coin was released for general circulation.  However, despite being the most recent circulating commemorative issued to date, the ₹5 coin was rarely seen in everyday transactions. In recent times, collectors have observed and discussed two distinct varieties of this coin, despite both carrying the same core design. These are commonly referred to as the small portrait and large portrait versions. The obverse side of the coin features the Ashoka Lion Emblem positioned above the denomination ₹5, along with the inscriptions “भारत”,  “INDIA” and “सत्यमेव जयते.”  The reverse side displays the portrait of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, accompanied by the logo ...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100  commemorative coin  to mark the Birth Centenary of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 11, 2025, confirming this coin. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, widely regarded as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, was a visionary agricultural scientist whose innovations in crop science helped make India self-sufficient in food production. His work uplifted millions of farmers and laid the foundation for sustainable agriculture. In recognition of his monumental contributions, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024. The  metal composition  of the ₹100 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 cen...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100 colored commemorative coin to mark the 10th Anniversary of Make in India . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 11, 2025, confirming this coin. Make in India is an initiative launched by the Government of India to promote and support companies in developing, manufacturing, and assembling products within the country while encouraging dedicated investments in the manufacturing sector. The policy aims to foster a favorable investment climate, enhance modern infrastructure, and open new sectors to foreign capital, driving economic growth and self-reliance. The  metal composition  of the ₹100 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 ce...

The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, unveiled the ₹125 commemorative coin  and postage stamp to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 9, 2025, at Siri Fort Auditorium, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi, as part of the two-year commemoration being observed from July 6, 2025, to July 6, 2027. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union MoS for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, and the Departments of Atomic Energy and Space; Dr. Anirban Ganguly, Chairman of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation; Dr. Mahesh Chandra Sharma, Chairman of the Research & Development Foundation for Integral Humanism; along with other distinguished guests. Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighted the significant contributions of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee to nation-building....

The Government of India will issue a ₹125 commemorative coin on the occasion of the ' 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee '. The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on July 8, 2025, confirming this coin. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a prominent Indian politician, barrister, and academician who played a significant role in the country's political history. He served as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta and later became the first Industry and Supply Minister of independent India. Dissatisfied with the policies of the Nehru government, he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Dr. Mookerjee is also remembered for his strong stance on the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The  metal composition  of the ₹125 coin will consist of Pure Silver (99.9%). The coin will weigh 40 grams and have a diameter of 44 mm, featuring 200 serrations along the edge. T...

The Nanya Darshini 2025 exhibition, featuring coins, banknotes and stamps, is being organized by the Karnataka Numismatic Society (KNS) and is scheduled to take place on July 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2025. This grand event will be held at Shikshak Sadan, KG Road, Opposite Kaveri Bhavan, Nagarathpete, Majestic, Bengaluru – 560002. The Karnataka Numismatic Society, established in 1974, is recognized as one of the most esteemed numismatic societies in India. With nearly 1,500 members, KNS offers a variety of programs and initiatives to enhance members’ knowledge and confidence in collecting. Monthly meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month, featuring eminent numismatists who address the gatherings and provide opportunities to felicitate and acknowledge members who exhibit their collections. Major floor auctions are scheduled during the event, with Marudhar Arts celebrating its 50th Golden Jubilee Auction , followed by its 51st Auction on July 12th. The event will conclude with t...