1982 - Bilingual Series II | Definitive Coin

The Second Bilingual Series of India's definitive coinage was introduced in 1982, featuring updated designs, revised specifications, and changes in the composition of several denominations.

The Second Bilingual Series of India's definitive coinage was introduced in 1982, succeeding the earlier Bilingual Series of 1971. The new series featured revised designs, updated dimensions, and changes in the metallic composition of several denominations, reflecting the need for greater economy in production, improved durability, and enhanced minting efficiency. While retaining bilingual inscriptions in Hindi and English, the coins adopted a cleaner and more contemporary appearance. The series initially comprised the 5 Paise, 10 Paise, 20 Paise, 25 Paise, 50 Paise, and 1 Rupee denominations.

One of the notable design changes in this series was the inclusion of the national motto "सत्यमेव जयते" beneath the Ashoka Lion Capital, a feature that has continued on subsequent issues of Indian coinage. The 5 Paise coin was initially issued with a weight of 1.5 grams in 1984, which was reduced to 1 gram from 1985 to lower production costs. The 20 Paise coin remained in circulation until 1997, after which it gradually disappeared from everyday use owing to inflation and its diminishing purchasing power.

Although a contemporary series was introduced in 1988, the Second Bilingual Series continued to be minted and circulated alongside the newer issues for many years. Several denominations remained in production, making this one of the longest-running definitive coin series of independent India. Its longevity and widespread circulation established it as a significant milestone in the evolution of India's modern coinage system.