1982 - Rs 2 IX Asian Games Experimental Coin

The ₹2 experimental commemorative coin marking the IX Asian Games measures 28 mm in diameter, weighs 8.12 grams, and has a security edge.

It is based on the design of India's first ₹2 commemorative coin, issued to mark the IX Asian Games, New Delhi 1982, an event that represented a milestone in both Indian sport and modern Indian commemorative coinage.

In terms of design, the experimental piece is virtually identical to the circulation issue. The obverse carries the Lion Capital of Ashoka with the bilingual inscription "भारत INDIA," while the reverse features the official emblem and inscription commemorating the IX Asian Games. The principal distinction lies in the presence of two horizontal lines on both the obverse and reverse, with the inscriptions "EXP." and "COIN" placed between them. These words form the abbreviation for "EXPERIMENTAL COIN" and were engraved directly into the dies before striking, rather than being added later as a countermark. This clearly identifies the piece as a trial strike prepared specifically for evaluation.

The official 1982 IX Asian Games ₹2 commemorative coins were struck only by the Bombay and Calcutta Mints for circulation. No official records indicate that the Heaton Mint participated in their commercial production. However, this experimental specimen is believed to have been produced by the Heaton Mint, Birmingham, as a sample or approval piece submitted to the Government of India during the process of seeking minting contracts. Such presentation pieces were a common practice among private mints, allowing them to demonstrate the quality of their engraving, striking, and manufacturing capabilities.

The presence of the security edge, together with the specially prepared EXP. COIN dies, strongly suggests that this was more than a simple presentation strike. It appears to have been intended as a fully engineered sample demonstrating the Mint's ability to reproduce Indian commemorative coinage to official specifications while incorporating distinctive identifiers to prevent confusion with circulation issues.

From a historical perspective, the coin is particularly significant because the IX Asian Games marked the beginning of India's modern commemorative ₹2 coin programme. The event also coincided with a period of rapid technological development within the India Government Mints, during which foreign mints were occasionally consulted or invited to submit proposals for coin production. If the Heaton attribution is correct, this experimental coin provides valuable evidence of those international interactions.

An example of this rare experimental strike was offered by KM Numismatics in Auction 1, Lot No. 2, held in February 2021. The coin realised US$2,100, reflecting its exceptional rarity, historical importance, and strong demand among collectors specialising in Indian patterns, essays, and experimental coinage.