Facts on Coins of Republic India

Here are some facts about the coins of the Republic of India:

• From 1950 to 1968, the One Rupee Coin were issued only in 4 years (1950, 1954, 1962, and 1964). Each of them is recognized as a type by Krause Publications.

• From 1969, the One Rupee Coin was issued every year. 

• The Standard One Rupee Coin for the years 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 are found only with the proof sets. These are amongst the most expensive One Rupee Coins.

• The Standard 3 Paise coins were last minted in 1971 for general circulation. However from 1972 to 1980 the Standard 3 Paise coins were part of proof sets.

• The proof sets from 1971 to 1980 had apart from few coins carrying commemorative themes had all the other standard coins not carrying the commemorative themes included in the proof sets.

• The Rs 2 coin was first time introduced as circulating commemorative in 1982. The same theme was then used as standard for Rs 2 coin from 1990 to 2004.

• There are quite a few commemorative themes that are available only as proof sets and UNC and never minted for regular circulation. The vice versa is also true, there are quite a few commemorative themes that are available only as circulation commemoratives and were never minted as proof sets or UNC.

• Normally if a theme is made available as proof set and circulation commemorative; then all the coin denomination in usage are made available as circulation commemoratives. The exceptions being

• 1985 Rs 2/- coin to commemorate Golden Jubilee of Reserve Bank is available only in the proof set. However the 50 paise coin is available in both.

• 1991 Rs 5/- and Rs 2/- to commemorate Tourism year is available only in the proof set. However the Rs 1/- is available in both.

• 1991 Rs 5/- to commemorate Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference is available only in the proof set. However the Rs 1/- is available in both.

Interesting Date Information

• The only coins without any date are the 2 coins issued in 2006, the Rs 5 Jagath Guru Shree Narayana Gurudev and Mahatma Basaweshwara.

• The Centenary / Anniversary coins have quite a few different type of date conventions

• Birth Year to Death Year [As in Gandhi and CN Annadurai coins]
• Birth Year to Centenary Year [As in most coins]
• Only Centenary Year [As in Bose Coin]
• Celebration Years only used for Homi Bhabha Rs 10 Coin [ie 2008 – 2009]

• The only coin to have a Month is the XIX Asian Games that as a date with day and month.

Interesting Shape & Size & Weight of Indian Coins

• The Indian Coins used a variety of shapes viz Circular, Scalloped [8 & 12], Square, Hexagon and Hendecagon. The Hendecagon was used only on one coinage or Rs 2. 

• By 1990 all the coinage had converted into Circular shape except for the Rs 2. The Rs 2 got converted into circular shape with the introduction of stainless steel design in 2004.

• Circular is the most popular shape. Except for 2 paise and 5 paise all other denominations were at some point in time available in the circular shape.

• The smallest diameter in the coinage at 16 mm is shared between 1 Naya Paise / Paise from 1957 to 1964 and 10 Paise Stainless Steel introduced from 1988 to 1998

• The Largest diameter in definitive at 28 mm goes to Big One Rupee coins minted from 1950 to 1982 popularly called Dubba Rupaye along with Rs 2 minted in the year 1990.

• In the Circulating Commemoratives the distinction goes to the Rs 5 coins with size of 31 mm. These were minted to commemorate the Death of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and then Birth Centenary of Nehru in 1989.

• In terms of weight, the lightest coin obliviously goes to the One Paise Aluminum at 0.75 g. 

• The heaviest coin in definitive’s would go to the Rs 5 thick coin minted from 1992 to 2004. The weight was 9 gm. 

• In Circulating commemoratives the Rs 5 minted to commemorate the Death of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and then Birth Centenary of Nehru in 1989 weigh 12.5 g.

• The 3 Paise is the only coin that was minted in one design.

• The 50 Paise coin has the distinction of being minted in 8 designs so far till 2012.

It's important to note that the information provided here is for general knowledge, and coin collectors may delve deeper into the intricate details of each coin's design, history, and significance.