1988 - Contemporary Series | Definitive coin

In 1988, the Contemporary Series of definitive coins was released with the introduction of Rs 2 and Rs 5 coins as regular issue.

The 5 paisa and 20 paisa coins were discontinued though they continued to be minted till 1994 and 1997 respectively. 10 paisa, 25 paise and 50 paise coins were minted in Stainless Steel from 1988. 1992 onwards, Re 1 coin was also minted in Stainless Steel with the introduction of Rs 2 and Rs 5 coins in Copper Nickel. However, the Rs 2 coin was issued as circular initially in 1990 of the commemorative coin theme of National Integration which later issued as Hendecagonal.

The very considerable costs of managing note issues of Re 1, Rs 2, and Rs 5 led to the gradual coinage of these denominations. These coins continued to be minted till 2004, when the Unity in Diversity series was launched.