Numismatics Collections

A memorable evening in the world of Indian numismatics and notaphily unfolded with the launch of Paper Money of the Princely State of Hyderabad, authored by renowned paper money collector and museum founder Dr. Rezwan Razack, on January 31, 2026, at Conrad, Bengaluru. The event brought together distinguished personalities, collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate this landmark contribution to the study and documentation of the paper money of the erstwhile Princely State of Hyderabad. The chief guest was Dr. D. Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India , while the event was presided over by Mr. Irfan Razack, CMD of Prestige Group. Dr. Rezwan Razack is a well-known figure in Indian notaphilic circles. He has established the spectacular Museum of Indian Paper Money in Bengaluru and has authored and co-authored several important reference works on the currency issued by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India. There was therefore considerable anticipation surround...

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon issue ₹100 and ₹200 banknotes bearing the signature of its newly appointed Governor, Shri Sanjay Malhotra, as announced in an RBI press release on March 11, 2025. According to the press release, "The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series bearing the signature of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor. The design of these notes remains identical in all respects to the existing ₹100 and ₹200 banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. All previously issued ₹100 and ₹200 banknotes will continue to be legal tender." Earlier, on February 12, 2025, the RBI announced the issuance of ₹50 banknotes featuring the new Governor’s signature. With the addition of ₹100 and ₹200 banknotes, the numismatic community now eagerly awaits the release of ₹10, ₹20, and ₹500 banknotes with the updated signature. The Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series ₹100 banknote measures 66 mm × 142 mm and featur...

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to release banknotes bearing the signature of its newly appointed Governor, Shri Sanjay Malhotra. As per the latest announcement, the first denomination to feature his signature will be on ₹50 banknote, with the official confirmation made through an RBI press release on February 12, 2025. According to the press release, "The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue ₹50 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, bearing the signature of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor. The design of these notes remains identical in all aspects to the existing ₹50 banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. All previously issued ₹50 banknotes will continue to be legal tender." Shri Sanjay Malhotra, a 56-year-old civil servant, took charge as the RBI Governor on December 11, 2024, for a three-year term, succeeding Shri Shaktikanta Das, who served for six years. Prior to his appointment at RBI, Shri Malhotra held the position of India’s Reve...

Shri Sanjay Malhotra assumed office as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 11, 2024, for a three-year term, succeeding Shri Shaktikanta Das. Under Section 22 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the RBI holds the exclusive authority to issue banknotes in India. As stipulated in Section 6 of the Reserve Bank of India (Note Issue) Regulations, 1935, these banknotes bear the signature of the Governor. A significant ceremonial duty in this regard is the acquisition of the Governor's specimen signature for its integration into the printing process of new banknotes. On December 12, 2024, a formal ceremony took place to obtain Shri Malhotra’s specimen signature. The event was attended by Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor; Shri Vivek Deep, Executive Director; the Chief General Manager-In-Charge of the Department of Currency Management, RBI; and the Managing Director of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the R...

The central government appointed Shri Sanjay Malhotra as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term. Shri Malhotra, currently serving as the Secretary in the Department of Revenue, will succeed Shri Shaktikanta Das in the position, effective December 11, 2024. A notification from the Department of Personnel and Training, issued on December 9, 2024, confirmed his appointment, highlighting his distinguished career as an IAS officer from the 1990 batch (Rajasthan cadre). Shri Malhotra holds an electrical engineering degree from IIT Kanpur and a master's in public policy from Princeton University. Over his career, he has held pivotal roles, including Chairman and Managing Director of REC Limited (a Maharatna company) and Secretary in the Department of Financial Services. Since December 2022, he has served as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, succeeding Tarun Bajaj. From a numismatic perspective, the first banknotes featuring Shri Sanjay Malho...

The Government of India has reappointed Shri Shaktikanta Das as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a further period of three years, as per the official order issued on October 28, 2021. The official order stated that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved the reappointment of Shri Shaktikanta Das as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years beyond December 10, 2021, or until further orders, whichever was earlier. The committee is headed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Shaktikanta Das had originally assumed charge as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on December 12, 2018, succeeding Dr. Urjit R. Patel. His initial term was for three years, and with this decision, he will continue to lead the central bank for another three years. The reappointment is notable as it provides continuity at the helm of the Reserve Bank of India at an important time for the Indian economy. The central bank continues...

Shri Shaktikanta Das assumed charge as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 12, 2018. His appointment marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of India's central banking institution, bringing to the position a senior administrator with extensive experience in economic affairs, taxation, finance and public administration. Prior to his appointment as RBI Governor, Shri Shaktikanta Das had served as Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. He had also served as Secretary, Department of Revenue. Immediately before taking charge as Governor, he was serving as a Member of the 15th Finance Commission and as India's G20 Sherpa. Shri Shaktikanta Das brought with him nearly four decades of experience in government. During his career, he held several important positions in both the Central and State Governments, dealing with diverse areas including finance, taxation, industries, infrastructure and economi...