Numismatics Collections

The Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, released the ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the Centenary Celebration of the Military Nursing Service today, September 30, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The ceremony marked the culmination of a year-long commemoration celebrating the rich legacy of the Military Nursing Service. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh; Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain; Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja; Lieutenant General C. G. Muralidharan; Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Shri Manish Tripathi; along with senior officers of the Armed Forces, ex-servicemen and other distinguished guests graced the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Seth acknowledged the exemplary service, professionalism and selfless dedication of MNS officers and highlighted their vital role in supporting the Armed Forces Medical Services and the nation during war, natural calamities and peacetime. Shri Sanjay Seth also said...

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will release the ₹100 commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the Centenary of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on October 1, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The programme will mark the culmination of the year-long centenary celebrations that commenced on October 1, 2025, commemorating 100 years since the establishment of the Public Service Commission in 1926. On the occasion, the Prime Minister will also release a book titled ‘100 Landmark Judgements – Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India’. The two-day centenary programme is being held on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam. The first day features ‘Shatabdi Samaroh – Manthan’, comprising addresses by eminent speakers and panel discussions on various themes relating to public service and the future of the Commission. The concluding day will bring together Chairmen and Members of State Public Service Commissions, senior...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the  Centenary Celebration of Military Nursing Service . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on September 28, 2026, confirming this coin. The Military Nursing Service (MNS) is an integral part of the Armed Forces Medical Services of India, providing professional nursing care to serving personnel, veterans and their families. Its organised history dates back to 1888, while the permanent Indian Military Nursing Service was established on October 1, 1926. Over the years, MNS officers have served in military hospitals during peace and war, contributing to patient care, medical emergencies and humanitarian missions. October 1 is observed as the Raising Day of the Military Nursing Service. 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 serrati...

The Mahatma Gandhi holds a unique place in the history of Republic of India coinage, with his image appearing on several commemorative coins issued to honour his life, ideals and enduring contribution to India’s freedom struggle. From the early decades of the Republic to more recent commemorative issues, these coins have provided a lasting numismatic tribute to the Father of the Nation. However, this post is a viewpoint on the issuance of commemorative coins on Mahatma Gandhi and not on the associated personality or features of Mahatma Gandhi. The first Republic of India commemorative coins featuring Mahatma Gandhi were issued in 1969 to mark his Birth Centenary . The series included ₹10, ₹1, 50 Paise and 20 Paise denominations, making it one of the most significant commemorative series of the early Republic. These coins carried the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, and the 1969 issue is particularly important in the history of Indian numismatics as it established him as a prominent subjec...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the Birth Centenary of  H.H. Srimad Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on September 25, 2026, confirming this coin. Srimad Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji was the twentieth Mathadhipati of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan and a highly respected spiritual leader of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community. Born on March 31, 1926, at Ernakulam, he was initiated into Sanyasa in 1944 by his Guru, Shrimath Sukrathindra Theertha Swamiji. He became the Mathadhipati in 1949 and guided the Math for nearly seven decades, dedicating his life to spirituality, education, social welfare and the preservation of cultural traditions. He attained Mahasamadhi at Haridwar on January 17, 2016. 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...

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, has opened the bookings for the ₹100 commemorative coin issued to mark the Centenary Celebration of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar . The bookings are open from September 24, 2026, and it is subject to limited availability. The ₹100 coin is currently available in a Proof Set with Booklet packaging, priced at ₹16,037. It should be noted that this is the initial issue price and may be subject to revision. Eventually, the India Government Mint, Mumbai opened bookings for the ₹100 coin in a Proof Set with Booklet packaging on September 12, 2026, at an issue price of ₹15,743. This marks the second instance of the same commemorative theme being issued by both the Mumbai and Kolkata Mints, following the ₹100 coin issued on 100 Years of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 2025. The issuance of the same commemorative theme from multiple mints, particularly in pure silver, is a concern for collectors, especially at a time when silver prices remain volatile. Many dedicate...

The India Government Mints have recently started listing designed artwork frames that combine commemorative coins with attractive presentation, artwork and fine craftsmanship. These products certainly add a different dimension to the way commemorative coins can be presented and preserved, and their limited availability has naturally attracted the attention of collectors. However, there is an important catch that collectors need to be aware of before placing an order: some of these artwork frames are not available for delivery and have to be physically collected from the respective Mint. This may not be immediately apparent when browsing their official online store . The product listings can indicate advance booking, a tentative delivery timeline and limited stock availability, which can understandably lead a collector to believe that the item will be shipped to the address provided while placing the order. The physical-collection condition, however, may appear only in the detailed t...

The India Government Mint, Hyderabad has opened bookings for a special wooden box set issued to mark the Birth Centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba . The bookings commenced on September 22, 2026, and the set is being offered in limited quantities. This wooden box contains a two-coin set, presented in an acrylic frame securely placed inside the box. The acrylic frame holds the two commemorative coins and is complemented by an artwork positioned behind the coins, creating an attractive and coordinated presentation. This limited-edition wooden box set containing ₹100 two coins and is priced at ₹19,390. The combination of the wooden presentation box , acrylic frame, coins, and thematic artwork gives the set a distinctive and premium appearance. The artwork provides an appropriate visual backdrop to the coins and enhances the overall presentation, making the set suitable not only for collectors but also as a commemorative keepsake or presentation item. These wooden sets can be purcha...

The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL), has issued several commemorative coins presented in specially designed artwork frames , combining numismatic significance with attractive presentation and fine craftsmanship. The list is current as of September 19, 2026, and the availability of these artwork frames are subject to limited availability. These distinctive framed sets offer collectors a different way of preserving and displaying commemorative coins , incorporating the coin with specially prepared artwork related to the theme being commemorated. The combination of an officially issued commemorative coin , thematic artwork and an elegant presentation frame makes these sets particularly appealing to collectors. Unlike the regular Proof Sets or Uncirculated Sets issued by the India Government Mints, these artwork frame sets appear to have been produced in extremely limited quantities and were primarily intended as special presentation pieces rather than as ...

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, has listed several commemorative coins presented in Acrylic Tower Sets . The list is current as of September 19, 2026, and the availability of these sets is subject to limited stock. At first glance, the Acrylic Tower Sets may appear similar to the Executive Sets issued for certain commemorative coins. However, these are not the same format as the sets provided to dignitaries during the release ceremonies. Unlike the original Executive Tower Sets, these appear to be restrikes prepared again by the India Government Mint, Kolkata. Executive Sets contain Proof coins and are among the most exclusive presentation formats issued by the India Government Mints. They are generally prepared for presentation to dignitaries, chief guests and other distinguished invitees during official coin-release ceremonies. On rare occasions, a limited number of surplus sets have been made available through India Government Mint sales counters, making them considerably scarc...

The Government of India will issue a ₹100 commemorative coin to celebrate the  1000 Years of the Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat . The Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification on September 18, 2026, confirming this coin. The Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat is one of India’s finest surviving temples dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Built in the early 11th century during the reign of Solanki King Bhima I, the temple is renowned for its intricate carvings, grand architecture and carefully planned eastward orientation. The complex consists of the magnificent Surya Kund, Sabha Mandapa and the main shrine, all decorated with detailed sculptures depicting Hindu deities, celestial figures, dancers, musicians and mythological scenes. The temple is an outstanding example of the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance. The metal composition of the ₹100 coin will consist of a Nickel Silver, comprising 6...

The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL) has started offering an exquisite and exclusive collectible featuring a beautifully etched metal artwork of Ayodhya Ram Mandir with Ram Lala, accompanied by a silver souvenir token . The combining traditional craftsmanship with numismatic appeal, this special artwork frame is a distinctive collectible for both devotees and collectors. The exquisite Ram Lala artwork was manufactured by the India Government Mint, Mumbai and is said to have been produced in a very limited quantity of just 15 pieces. Most of these pieces were reportedly provided to the Ministry for presentation to dignitaries, making the collectible exceptionally scarce and difficult to obtain. The highlight of this collectible is the intricately etched metal artwork depicting Ram Lala. The artwork is handmade by an artist rather than being produced by a machine, with the detailed handicraft making each piece difficult to replicate. It is elegantly prese...

The commemorative coins featuring portraits hold a special place in numismatics for preserving the likeness and personality of those commemorated. Unlike coins featuring monuments or symbols, a portrait requires careful artistic interpretation to ensure that the personality remains immediately recognisable. The recent commemorative coins have, however, raised concerns among collectors about the quality of portrait engraving. The issue can be noticed in the commemorative coin portraits issued to mark the Birth Centenary of Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi in 2017, the Birth Centenary of Mohammed Rafi in 2025 and the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Centenary Celebrations in 2026. The personalities commemorated were legendary figures with highly recognisable faces, yet the excessive marking of the teeth in their portraits has, in the opinion of collectors, affected their natural appearance and likeness. The problem is not that a smiling portrait should never show teeth, but rather how the teeth are inte...

The India Government Mint, Mumbai, has opened the bookings for the ₹100 commemorative coin issued to mark the Centenary Celebration of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar . The bookings are open from September 12, 2026, and it is subject to limited availability. Earlier, on September 6, 2026, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs, Smt. Purnima Chakraborty, unveiled the ₹100 coin at Shishir Mancha, Kolkata. The ceremony was attended by prominent personalities from the Bengali film industry and cultural sphere, including Smt. Rupa Ganguly, Shri Biswajit Chattopadhyay, Shri Prosenjit Chattopadhyay, Padma Shri Saroj Mandal and others. The ₹100 commemorative coin is currently available in a Proof Set in Booklet packaging, priced at ₹15,743. It is to be noted that the above pricing is the initial issue price and is subject to revision. However, owing to significant fluctuations in silver prices, the India Government Mint, Mumbai, may revise the prices at a later stag...

Republic India commemorative coins have witnessed a remarkable evolution in denominations since the introduction of the country's first commemorative coin in 1964. From the early issues carrying conventional denominations to the introduction of several unusual face values in recent years, Indian commemorative coinage has developed into a fascinating area of numismatics for collectors. While denominations such as ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹75, ₹100, ₹125 and ₹150 have been used repeatedly for different commemorative themes, several denominations have appeared only once so far. These unique one-time denominations form a particularly interesting area of Republic India numismatics and offer a different perspective for collectors who collect commemorative coins denomination-wise . During the earlier years of Republic India’s commemorative coinage , the choice of denominations was relatively limited. Until 2010, ₹50 and ₹100 were the most commonly used denominations for commemorating important oc...