Numismatics Collections

The Government of India has announced its decision to mark the Birth Centenary of Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia, marking a year-long celebration in honor of her remarkable life and contributions to the nation. Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia (12 October 1919 – 25 January 2001), born Lekha Divyeshwari Devi and widely known as the Rajmata of Gwalior, was an influential Indian political leader. Inspired by the Indian freedom movement, she became actively involved in the struggle for independence after completing her education. Her lifelong commitment to women’s education and empowerment defined much of her public and social work. Throughout her distinguished political career, Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia served as a Member of Parliament from 1957 to 1998, contributing significantly to national affairs across various roles. She also collaborated with numerous organizations devoted to improving the lives of women through education and social upliftment. She passed away on January 25, 2001, leaving behind a...

The Government of India is expected to issue ₹550 commemorative coin to mark the 550th Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev , a momentous occasion for millions of devotees around the world. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539), the revered founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, is celebrated globally for his teachings on equality, humility, and devotion. His birth anniversary, known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, is observed annually on Kartik Pooranmashi, the full-moon day of the month of Katak (October–November). The Prakash Utsav commemorates not only his birth but also the spiritual light he brought to humanity. The commemorative coin is tentatively scheduled for release on September 22, 2019, aligning with the anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s joti jot (spiritual ascension). An official confirmation will be issued through a Gazette notification by the Ministry of Finance, which will detail the coin's design and metal composition. Within the numismatic c...

The history of Republic of India coinage remained remarkably consistent with the design language of definitive coins . A more purposeful opportunity emerged around 2004, when the task of designing definitive coinage was entrusted, for the first time, to an institution outside the mints: the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. The proposed programme covered denominations from 50 paise to ₹10, with a bi-metallic ₹10 coin intended to enter regular circulation for the first time. Earlier ₹10 commemorative coins —issued for the Mahatma Gandhi Centenary , the 25th Anniversary of the FAO , and the Silver Jubilee of Independence —had circulated only in limited commemorative contexts and were generally struck in silver alloys. Decades later, a new regular circulating denomination was much needed. NID developed three related yet distinct design themes: Unity in Diversity , Nritya Mudra , and Connectivity and Information Technology . Together, they offered an unusually ambitious vision...

The India Government Mint, Mumbai, has officially begun the dispatch process for the long-awaited commemorative coin sets issued to honour the Birth Centenary of Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi and the 475th Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap . Dispatches commenced in the first week of September 2018, and customers can now expect their sets to begin arriving soon. Bookings for these commemorative issues were originally open from March 6, 2018, to May 5, 2018, and had received significant interest from collectors across India due to the historical and cultural relevance of both themes. If you have placed an order for either of these sets, you can expect delivery within approximately two months, depending on your location. The dispatches are being handled through India Post – GPO Speed Post, ensuring a secure and trackable delivery process. The Mumbai Mint will upload Speed Post tracking details on their official website, allowing customers to monitor the progress of their shipments. For any ...

The world's largest collector of Indian Paper Money, Rezwan Razack, has been awarded the 'Book of the Year' by the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) for his new book titled 'One Rupee – One Hundred Years 1917 – 2017.' The IBNS Book of the Year is an annual accolade presented to an exceptional publication dedicated to paper money. Books under consideration for the award are nominated by various members of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). Rezwan Razack, the joint managing director of Bengaluru-based real estate company Prestige Group, has garnered this prestigious recognition for his significant contributions. Over the past 45 years, Mr. Razack has meticulously curated an extensive collection of Indian currency notes, concurrently chronicling the rich history of paper currency in the subcontinent. An enthusiastic collector of Indian banknotes and paper currency, Mr. Razack delves into lesser-known facts and intricacies, meticulously documented in his b...

The production of coins has come to a complete standstill at all four  India Government Mints —Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, and Hyderabad. This unprecedented pause stems from a significant oversupply of coins in the system, compounded by a lack of adequate storage space across mint facilities and RBI vaults. The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), which oversees the operations of all four mints, issued an internal directive stating that the “production of circulation coins is being stopped until further notice.” While routine working hours will continue, the order explicitly mentions that no overtime will be permitted, indicating a slowdown in overall activity within the mints. According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sources, such calibrations of coin production are carried out periodically to balance demand, supply, and storage capacity. Coin manufacturing is inherently dependent on the RBI’s assessment of the volume of coins already in circulation and...

The counterfeit ₹1000 commemorative coin featuring the Shri Jagannath Nabakelebara theme have begun appearing across various online shopping platforms, despite the fact that the official coin has not yet been commenced bookings from the India Government Mint, Mumbai.  This early flood of fakes is not only alarming but also highlights the growing vulnerability of unsuspecting collectors who rely on online marketplaces. Spotting these fake coins is relatively easy due to a glaring spelling error: the inscription on the counterfeit reads “Shri Jagganath Nabakelebra” instead of the correct “Shri Jagannath Nabakelebara.” Such inaccuracies are a common trait among forged commemorative pieces, making it essential for collectors to examine details closely before making any purchase. This is not the first time counterfeit commemorative coins have emerged even before official mint releases. Earlier reports highlighted similar instances where fraudulent coins circulated widely, misleading b...