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Saturday 21 May 2011

14) Foreign mints which have minted coins for India and identification of their mint marks.


Foreign mints which have minted coins for India and identification of their mint marks:

To supplement the domestic production of coins, India resorted to procuring Indian coins from foreign mints during  a few years in the 1980s upto 2000, whereafter, with the bringing of all the domestic mints and security printing presses, under the umbrella of SPMCIL (Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, Ltd.), better co-ordination at the macro-level has led to self-sufficiency in this direction and no further coin procurement has taken place since the year 2000.

The ten foreign mints, from where coins were procured and the years when the supplies were made, are as follows:
     Name                      Denomination    Year
1) Royal Mint, London      One Rupee         1985
    (U.K.)

2) Heaton Press mint,      One Rupee          1985
   Birmingham, (U.K.)

3) Royal Canadian Mint,
   (Ottawa, Canada)          50  paise            1988
                                       25   paise   1985,1988
                                        10  paise            1988

4) Mexico City Mint           One Rupee          1997
   (Oeschger Masdach & Co.)

5) Seoul mint,South Korea  2 Rupees 1997, 1998

6)Teugu mint,South Korea  50 Paise            1985

7) Kremnca Mint                One Rupee    1998-2001
   (Slovakia Republic)

8) Pretoria Mint                 Two Rupees      1998
   (South Africa Mint Co.)

9) Tower mint (U.K.)        Two Rupees      1999
    (Dominican Republic)
10) Moscow mint             2  Rupees          2000
       (Russia)                   5  Rupees 1999, 2000

Specimens of the coins made by these mints , together with their mint marks,  and my nicknames for these mint marks , are quite easy to remember, once , newbie numismatists , get over the excitement of actually holding foreign minted Indian coins in their wallets/albums . 

I have collected quite a few samples of all these coins  over six months, except for the coin minted in Pretoria mint, for which I had a really long wait, before, I could lay my hands on a single specimen. 

Details of  the mints and their marks are elaborated below: 

1) The Royal Mint London, has a diamond mint mark, below the first numeral of the year of issue. In our specimen, the diamond is below the numeral “1”.

 Reverse of a 1985 one-rupee coin , minted by Royal mint, London, exhibiting the diamond mint mark , below the numeral "1".

The diamond mint mark in focus.


2) The Heaton Press mint, Birmingham (U.K.) , has a decorated/ornamental  “H” below the last numeral  of the year of issue 1985, i.e. below the  numeral “5” in 1985.

 Notice the Ornamental "H" below the "5" here.

 A clearer picture of the mint mark "H"

The Royal Canadian mint, Ottawa, (Canada) has the mint mark “C” below the year of issue.

The 25 paise coins were minted in different designs in 1985 and 1988 by this mint. Both these designs are given here, and exhibit the mint mark “C” below the year of issue .






 No elaboration required for the above coin and the "C" mint mark.

50 paise coins were minted at this mint in 1988. A much used specimen in my collection is exhibited here.

  The mint mark "C" is prominently visible in this coin below the year 1988.

Smaller 10 paise coins were also minted by the Royal Canadian mint , and a specimen  from my collection exhibiting the mint mark is given here.



 No elaboration required here again. 

However, it is worthwhile to note, that, these coins are virtually out of circulation, so, if one comes across any of these, they are worth keeping in one's collection, as are the coins from the two  U.K. mints mentioned above.



The Seoul mint (South Korea),  has a ”five-pointed star” under the date of the coin, directly below the last numeral of the year of issue i.e. under the numeral “7”  and “8” in our two specimens given here. 




These two 2-rupee coins were supplied by Seoul, South Korea, in 1997 and 1998.

The Taegu Mint (South Korea), , has a “five-sided star” , but this mint mark is placed below the first numeral of the year of issue. In our specimen, the mint mark star is given below the numeral “1”.  This 50 paise coin has one of the most beautiful floral designs of Independent India issues.  


Also,in a lighter vein, if you see in the floral pattern, there are dots, diamonds, and no marks, apart from the five pointed star , below the first numeral of the year 1985 ,which is the Taegu mint mark.  It is only my observation, that this coin exhibits all the mint marks of Indian mints as well – the five-pointed star  (Hyderabad mint), no mark (Kolkata mint), Diamond (Mumbai mint) and dot (Noida mint), but then it is only my opinion, not to be taken seriously by numismatists or researchers. 

Now for the coins to which I have given the nicknames, “smiley”, “elephant” ,” Mars Land Rover” “OM” (the Yoga chant), and “the saddle” which makes it easier to identify these mints.

First , we have the Mexico City Mint (I have given the story of a Mexican silver peso minted at Mexico city mint elsewhere on my blog:The travels of a silver Mexican Peso 1898; restruck in 1949.).
In 1535, when the Viceroyalty of New Spain was being cemented, the Mint of Mexico (la Casa de Moneda) became the first Spanish Mint to open in America. The mint received the following mandate from King Charles I and queen Juana: “Y PONGASE EN LA PARTE DONDE HOBIERE LA DEVISA DE LAS COLUNAS UNA M LATINA, PARA QUE SE CONOZCA QUE SE HIZA EN MEXICO” (meaning “Let a Latin ‘M’ be placed where the columns are divided to reveal that it was made in Mexico. This was represented by the symbol “OM” the letters placed vertically with “O” on top & “M” below.  

This mint today is managed by Oescheger Masdach & Co., therefore, it carries the “OM” mint mark below the year of issue. Although this is not the yogic chant which I have mentioned, for the sake of convenience, one can easily identify this mint mark , by my given nickname, as the “OM” chant mint mark coin.  The specimen given here is a one rupee 1997 issue from this mint, the only  year when this mint supplied these coins to India.


Notice the "OM" mint mark below the year 1997?
Second, we have the Kremca mint (Slovakian Republic),  which minted one rupee coins for India from 1998 to 2001. It has the mint mark “MK given in a Circle”, below the year of issue. The  first look at this mint mark looks like a “smiley” , which is my nickname for this mint mark. I have given specimens of all four years of issue i.e. 1998,1999,2000 and 2001 from my collection, below:











 Next, we have the  Pretoria Mint (South Africa Mint Co. Pvt. Ltd.), which has a “M” as the mint mark under the year of issue  i.e. 1998, when this mint supplied two rupee coins for India.  The mint mark is rather elaborate and looks like the  side-view of the “ Mars Land Rover”  . The image of the only specimen in my collection is given below.


The "M" below the 1998 looks like the sideview of the Mars "Land-Rover" does'nt it?

The next  mint is the Tower Mint, U.K. (Dominican Republic) which has the mint mark “U” under the year of issue.  This mint minted two rupee coins in 1998. The “U” mint mark looks like a saddle and my nickname for a quick identification of this mark is the “saddle”. A specimen from my collection is given, hereunder:


 What does this mint mark look like to you ?

The last mint which made coins for India was the Moscow mint (Russia). It has the mint mark “MMD” made below the year of issue.  This mint supplied two-rupee coins in 2000 and five rupee coins in 1999 and 2000. Its mint mark looks like an “elephant”, which is my nickname for mint mark on these  coins.




Two rupee coins supplied in 2000 with the "MMD" mint mark.







Five rupee coins with the Moscow mint mark supplied in 1999 and 2000.

Some of these coins are still available and are in circulation. If you are a keen numismatist and do not have these coins, then it is worth-while keeping these coins in your collection.








Some interesting links on Indian coins on this Blog:


 Links to other posts on Indian Currency/Banknote denominations on this blog:









84 comments:

  1. u said that kremca mint of slovakia has minted 1 rupee coin for the year 1998,1999,2000 but i have coin of 2001

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mere pass available hai kisi ko need hai to contact me 9878980871

      Delete
  2. You are right. Even I have got a 2001 coin in my collection and have been wanting to correct this position for the past several months. However, as I got involved with other posts, somehow this slipped my mind. Thanks for reminding me. Will correct the detail now.

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  3. I have 1 rs Kremnica Mint coin . Is it RARE coin ?

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  4. The one rupee coins minted in the Kremnca mint in 2001 were the last coins minted by any Foreign mint for the Indian Government/Reserve Bank of India, as India mints have now achieved self-sufficiency in minting the domestic requirement of coin denominations. To that extent, these are the last coins issued by any Foreign mint for India. With the passage of time, coins minted by Foreign mints for India in circulation would become very difficult to acquire and newbie numismatists would only be able to see them in numismatic collections or Coin museums. As such the coin in your collection is definitely a good keepsake.

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  5. i have a 2 rupee coin which was minted in moscow. what makes my coin rare is that it is in mint condition.(unused condition)

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  6. i have a 1985 25 paise c incused coin is it rare

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  7. Yes. It is not easy to find this coin now, especially as it has been taken out of circulation.

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    Replies
    1. I have 25 paise royal canada mint 1988 coin....I want to sell it....What will be the value

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    2. Hello Anonymous, I'm not aware of present day valuation of this coin. You will have to check up sites like eBay where you can check up quotes and arrive at an average valuation. Interestingly, a fellow numismatist picked up a couple of these coins from a "flea" market for Rs.10/- each.

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  8. Very well illustrated post. Must appreciate the pain staking effort that must have gone in putting this together.

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  9. SIR, I AM HAVING A COLLECTION OF MINTWISE COINS INDIAN 4+MDS1+FORIGN MINTS 10 EACH ONE IN ONE SHEET FOR EXHIBITION.IHAVE DONE COINS EXHIBITION IN IICPT FOOD RESEARCH TANJORE, AND SCHOOLS. SEE KAVITHAIGANESAN IICPT COINS EEXHIBITION ....KAVITHAIGANESAN PANRUTI TAMILNADU INDIA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very nice of you to share this info on my blog. Will visit your site. Thanks.

      Delete
  10. good illustration... do you have any detailed guidance for the commemorative coins of Republic of India?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anonymous,
      There are several posts on the blog regarding commemorative coins issued by the India Govt.Mints Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai on individual personalities, events etc.Other than that, I have not put up a compendium of various issues datewise.

      Delete
  11. i am nikhil yelligetti.....i have 5 rupee coin with moscow mint and with
    year 2000

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  12. Very nice article. ...excellent research. ...
    I have a query how is hydrabad mint coin mark different from Taegu Mint (South Korea)...how to differentiate.
    Gaurav
    9888018770

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Gaurav, the Hyderabad mint mark is placed below the centre of the year of issue as mentioned in my next article in India mint marks, while the Taegu mint mark is placed below the first numeral of the year of issue.

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  13. Ohh! This is surprising.. never knew about coins of India that were minted by foreign mints.. Thanks for posting..

    Indian Coins

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Avantika. Till 2001, Indian Mints did not have the capacity to provide adequate number of coins to meet the domestic demand. After that the mints came of age and Indian coins were only produced domestically. Even today, there is a shortage of coins in circulation and payments are being rounded off to the next ten rupees in most cases or vendors are giving "toffees" instead of small change in many transactions, but the Indian Government is only relying on Indian mints to somehow meet the domestic demand. Coins made by the Foreign mints have mostly been collected by Numismatists and only, once in a while, you may come across these old coins which bear the foreign mint marks.

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  14. Just today found the Pretoria mint one and now I have the whole set.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello T Pu,
      Great going. All the best with your collection.

      Delete
  15. I have 1 rupee 1985 made in London mint with star mark below 1 how much rare it is and what will be the price.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Aditya,
      I have not done the valuations of these coins. Perhaps,you could check up on a site like eBay to arrive at an estimation of present day value of your coin.

      Delete
    2. Kindly please send me your whatsapp number for a better deal

      Delete
  16. I have two 1 rs coins of pure silver, about 100-year-old, 1916-1917, george V King Emperor, it feels silly to ask, really sorry, but can you help me out finding people who can buy these at a good amount,m in real,serious need of money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Saurabh,
      I am not into buying or selling coins except for the latest commemoratives, or collecting them through general circulation, as such I will not be able to help you much. You could try eBay or a local coin dealer in your city or even a coin exhibition.

      Delete
  17. Mere pas 2rupe k star mark wale 5 coin he jiska sun 1997-1998 he Kisi ko chahiye to is num par call kare
    07000546772

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have rs 2 of Indian coin mint of Moscow. Its unused. Ankush99888@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have 2 coins of the canadian mint of 10 paise (1988), if I want to sell it at what price should I?
    Email: surgang81993@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not aware of the latest quotes. Please check up on a site like eBay and arrive at an average valuation for your coins.

      Delete
  20. Thus these coins are rare...... And do that have any good market value......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. The last time an Indian circulating coin was minted by a foreign mint was in 2001, where-after India developed adequate capacity to mint its own coins at the four India Govt. Mints. For present day valuations, please check up sites like e-Bay etc to arrive at average quotes for these pieces.

      Delete
  21. Replies
    1. Thank you so much for visiting the blog and your encouraging comment.

      Delete
  22. I have pne rupee 1985 coin with Heaton print. That H one.

    ReplyDelete
  23. i have 2rs 2000 Russian mint coin is it a rare coin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, these coins are still available in circulation, but their numbers are coming down as newly minted coins are getting more actively used. As such they are slowly becoming scarce and rarer.

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  24. Very useful correct information provided.Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Surjeet for your appreciative comment.

      Delete
  25. Total how many foreign mint were used after independence till 2001 for minting coins.

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  26. what is the value of the 1 rupee 1985 Royal Mint London please

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have 1 rupees coin of 1985 with Headmaster mark below the last digit of year and 1 rupees coin of 1997 with M capital and small o obove m and I have 1 paisa coin of 1964

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sir I own a 1rupee flower coin of 1992 Hyderabad mint,with a stripe patternd security edge,in almost unc condition.
    Is it a rare one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could you please send me an image on my email address. I have not understood your mention about the "flower" coin.

      Delete
  29. I have so many old coins and old notes

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tanks for this information

    ReplyDelete
  31. What is the market value of one rupee coin of H mint in UNC condition

    ReplyDelete
  32. मेरे पास सभी तरह के सिक्के है और मैं बेचना चाहता हूँ खरीदने वाले सम्पर्क करें जगतपुरा जयपुर 6376697368

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sir, I am having various mint of old coins of Indian currency, I want to sell it. Interested collectors and buyers contact me on Mobile: 9869460773 # 9967972679 # Email: helloturab@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. PROSENJIT MUKHERJEE, Contact - 91+ 6291452907, Email ID - prosenjitmukherjee86@Gmail.com
    I have an ancient gold plated Indian token and some vintage coins of 18th and 19th century which I would like to sell.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sir, I am having various ancient coins of British India period and a gold plated ancient token of Hindu religious culture. I want to sell. Buyers are requested to contact 91+ 6291452907 or prosenjitmukherjee86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Why were this coins minted outside india?
    How can I buy these coins from rbi can you please tell me the process

    Actually I am a coin collector is and I got my coins in a grocery shop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. U ntol 2002, Indian mints did not have adequate capacity to mint coins in sufficient numbers to meet local consumption/demand. As such, the Indian government had to get a few denominations minted abroad. RBI does not sell coins to collectors. These coins can only be collected through pocket change from coins in general circulation.

      Delete
  37. I have 1985 25 paise c and 1985 1rupee royal mint London is this coins are rare.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The 25 paise coin was demonetised and has gone out of circulation. Very few are available, particularly through coin dealers in exhibitions. The one rupee coin minted in London is now totally out of circulation and may come your way in circulation once in a while. To that extent these coins are rare and collector's items for everyone interested in the history of Indian coinage.

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    2. It is indeed. Now the Indian Mints have capacity to meet the local demand of users.

      Delete
  38. Hello Sar Mera Naam Hari Ka Rafiq Shaikh Pune mein rahti ho mere pass purane Sikke aur note Se Mujhe use karna hai kya aap usmein meri madad kar sakte ho kya Kyunki purane Sikke Bechne ke liye log bolate Hain fees per karo online Jo log frog Hai Ki Do Bar Hamare sath sath mein chuka hai isiliye mujhe Bharat Kisi per Bharosa nahin hai aap bhi Pune mein hi rahte ho isliye maine aapko message kiya hai agar aap Kuchh Meri help kar sakte ho to bata do Sar please main aapko mera mobile number yah mera mobile number hai aap mujhe is per Sampark kar sakte ho bhi usmein send kar di hai 7887352026

    ReplyDelete
  39. Mujhe koi idea nahin hai Coins bechne aur khareedne ka. December mein har saal Sonal Hall Pune mein ek bari exhibition lagti hai coin dealers ki jahan par bahut coins khareeday/beche jaate hain. Itna hi mujhe pataa hai.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello sar male pass bhi bhont Si purane coin se bechna chahta hun Jo John Si kimat mein aap mujhse kharidna chahte hain aap khareed sakte my what's number 7383607968

      Delete
  40. Old coins and note seller koi vie buyer he to mera what sap number 9365690792

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sir, the kind of information in your blog is extraordinary....👌👌👍👍💐💐

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Anonymous,
      Thank you so much for visiting the blog and your very encouraging comment.

      Delete
  42. Old indian coin 2 rupee 1999,2000 anthor counter coin cont 8848131428 sajan

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have 1 rupee coins and 50 poisa etc coins to detail..contact on 8413835794
    The coins of the years is 1985

    ReplyDelete
  44. मेरे पास 50 पैसा 1985 का सिक्का है और 25 पैसा 1988 का सिक्का हे। 10 पैसा 1975 का सिक्का भी हे। खरीदने के लिए संपर्क किजिये 8871953315

    ReplyDelete
  45. Sir I have 25 paise coins what u told that year.
    Total I have 250 coins of 25 paise.
    Contact me sir 6360306565

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have 1 ruppee coins in all mints for year 1985 does it worth something

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have some old indian coins. How can sell it

    ReplyDelete
  48. ENJOYED -READING-will help organising my collection,
    ALSO wish to SELL SURPLUS COINS because of my age. -THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  49. Mere paas old coin and note he conect
    No. 9723171292

    ReplyDelete
  50. Old coins sell :9849988247

    ReplyDelete
  51. I sell old coin total 72 piece.cont 7232050013

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks for your detailed article.

    Helped not only in enlightening about Indian coins being minted elsewhere but also giving table of info with pics for recognising coins of those mints.
    With that I was able to bring order to my collection and found that only following two are missing:

    5) Seoul mint, South Korea
    2 Rupees 1998 missing

    9) Tower mint (U.K.) (Dominican Rep.)
    Two Rupees 1999 missing

    May find it one day from my accumulation.
    Thanks again.
    ~bd

    ReplyDelete
  53. Nice information

    ReplyDelete