2nd International Crop Science Congress: First and Second Strikes

The Government of India issued a 5 Rupees commemorative coin to mark the 2nd International Crop Science Congress in 1996. Some collectors believe the conference was suddenly canceled, but this is not true. The event was formally held, and the then Hon'ble President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, officially released the commemorative coins and postage stamps on November 17, 1996, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

These commemorative coins were initially issued in circulation as part of a two-coin collector's set presented in velvet boxes. However, the number of coins released for public circulation was significantly lower than those issued in the velvet box sets, making the circulated coins relatively scarce.

In 2006, the Rs 5 commemorative coin was re-struck and reissued exclusively in collector's velvet box sets. These re-struck coins exhibit minor yet notable differences in the Devanagari (Hindi) inscriptions compared to the original 1996 issue, providing an interesting challenge for numismatists.

The first strike coins, particularly the circulation issues from 1996, correctly display the Devanagari word for "crop" as फसल (Phasal). The complete inscription reads "द्वितीय अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय फसल विज्ञान कांग्रेस," which translates to "2nd International Crop Science Congress" as mentioned in the English inscription. However, the collector's set coins from the same year show a variation, with फं replacing फ.

In contrast, the re-struck coins from 2006 contain a typographical error where the word फसल is split as फंस ल, and also shows फं instead of फ. The erroneous inscription reads "द्वितीय अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय फंस ल विज्ञान कांग्रेस," which slightly alters the intended meaning.

If you're adding these coins to your collection, prioritise the circulation issue with the word "फसल" over the collector's set versions, which have incorrect inscriptions like "फंसल" or "फंस ल."

This difference, while minor, is significant in the world of numismatics and highlights the importance of careful observation. These variations between the original and re-struck coins make them an intriguing addition to any collection, offering insight into the history and intricacies of Indian coinage. With this explanation, collectors can more easily determine whether their commemorative coin belongs to the first strike or the restrike issue.