POST INDEPENDENCE
INDIAN ISSUES: COMMEMORATING SPORTS IN INDIAN COINAGE:
1) IX Asian Games New Delhi, India (19th
November 1982 – 4th December 1982:
I remember that the IX Asian Games held at New Delhi from
19.11.1982 to 04.12.1982 were a very major sporting event for New Delhi at that
time with 33 Asian nations participating in 21 Sports, involving more than 4500
Athletes. All of Delhi and India were abuzz with the Event and hoping that it would be a grand success.
China (153 medals), Japan (153 medals) and South Korea (93 medals) were the
Medals table toppers, with India coming in at fifth place (57 medals).The main
stadium was Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,
New Delhi. India’s Star athlete was P.T. Usha who also administered the
Athlete’s oath.
Concept of the
Asian Games:
The first ever Asian Games were ,also, held in New Delhi in 1951.
The Games are mostly held every four years (with one exception, when the II
Asian Games were held at Manila Philippines in 1954) and so far 16 Games/Events
have been organized. The Asian Games (also referred to as the Asiad) were
regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF) from the first Games onwards in
New Delhi until the 1978 Games. Thereafter, the Asian Games are organized by
the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). These Games are recognized by the
International Olympic Committee (ICC) and are the second largest multi sports
event after the Olympics.
The last Quadrennial Games held was in Guangzhou, China
from 12th to 27th November 2010 (XVI Games). In the
Guangzhou Asian Games 44 sporting events were represented as against 21
sporting events in the New Delhi Games, showing the growing popularity of the
Games among Asian countries. Israel has been excluded from the Games since 1976
due to security reasons. The 16 Games have been hosted by 9 nations so far
(including twice by India).
The next Asian Games are scheduled to be held in 2014 at
Incheon, South Korea from 19th September 2014 to 4th
October 2014with one variation: the number of sporting events will be pruned
down to 35. Also, so as not to have a clash of dates or a crowded sporting
calendar (as the Olympics competitions are also held every four years in
even-numbered years) , the next Games after the Incheon Event will be shifted
by a year to 2019 (in place of being held in 2018).
Commemorative coin
issues by RBI:
The Reserve Bank of India issued five coins in various
denominations in 1982 either as Proof/ Uncirculated coin sets (Rs.100/ and
Rs.10/- denominations) and also for general circulation to commemorate the
organizing of the event (in the denominations of Rs.2/-, 25 paise, and 10 paise).
Even now, any one or more of these coins can be found in the unorganized
collections of several Indian households as collected memorabilia. All these
coins were released by the Reserve Bank of India on 19th November
1982.
Obverse of the two rupee coin, showing the Lion Capital of
Emperor Asoka, below which is the inscription “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth always
Prevails) which together form the emblem/symbol/Coat of Arms of the Sovereignty
of the Government of India. Below this image is the numeral “2” indicating the
denomination of the coin. On the left are the words “Bharat” and “Rupiye” in
Hindi and on the right side are the words “India” and “Rupees” in English.
Reverse of the above coin shows the Asian Games Logo – the
ancient Observatory “Jantar Mantar” in New Delhi with an engraving of a stylized
Sun shining above it. On the left
periphery are the words “Navam Asiayee Khel” in Hindi and on the right
periphery are the words “IX Asian Games” in English. Below the Jantar Mantar
observatory image is the word “Delhi” indicating the venue of the city
organizing the Asian Games, below which is the year of issue “1982”. These
coins were minted at Kolkata and Mumbai mints. There is a gap between “19” and
“82” in the year of issue which either shows no mint mark (Kolkata mint issue)
or a diamond mint mark (Mumbai mint issue). The image represented above has the
Diamond mint mark, indicative of a Mumbai mint issue.
This is the first time that a two rupees coin was brought
out by Reserve Bank of India, along with an “experimental coin” with the theme
of National Integration (showing the Map of India, the Indian Flag and having
the words “Rashtriya Ekta” and “National Integration “engraved on the Reverse)
with the Obverse looking exactly the same as the above Asian Games coin. The
next time this coin with the theme of “National Integration” was issued was only
in 1990.
Other specifications of these two rupee coin issues were:
Weight 8 gms; Shape Circular; Diameter 28mm; Metal composition: cupro-nickel
(75% copper – 25% nickel).
Obverse of the 25 paise (twenty five paise) coin issued
showing the Lion Capital of Emperor Asoka, below which is the inscription
“Satyameva Jayate” (Truth always Prevails) which together form the
emblem/symbol/Coat of Arms of the Sovereignty of the Government of India. Below
this image is the numeral “25” indicating the denomination of the coin. On the
left are the words “Bharat” and “paise” in Hindi and on the right side are the
words “India” and “paise” in English.
Reverse of the above 25 paise coin showing the Asian Games
Logo – the ancient Observatory “Jantar Mantar” in New Delhi with an engraving
of a stylized Sun shining above it. On
the left periphery are the words “Navam Asiayee Khel” in Hindi and on the right
periphery are the words “IX Asian Games” in English. Below the Jantar Mantar
observatory image is the word “Delhi” indicating the venue of the city
organizing the Asian Games, below which is the year of issue “1982”. These
coins were minted at Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai mints. There is a gap
between “19” and “82” in the year of issue which shows no mint mark (Kolkata
mint issue) or a diamond mint mark (Mumbai mint issue)or a dot with a hole
(Hyderabad mint mark).
Other specifications of this coin are: Weight 2.5 gms; Metal
composition: Nickel Brass (75% copper, 20% Zinc, 5% Nickel)
Obverse of the 10 (ten) paise coin issued showing the Lion
Capital of Emperor Asoka, below which is the inscription “Satyameva Jayate”
(Truth always Prevails) which together form the emblem/symbol/Coat of Arms of
the Sovereignty of the Government of India. Below this image is the numeral “10”
indicating the denomination of the coin. On the left are the words “Bharat” and
“paise” in Hindi and on the right side are the words “India” and “paise” in
English.
Reverse of the above 10 paise coin showing the Asian Games
Logo – the ancient Observatory “Jantar Mantar” in New Delhi with an engraving
of a stylized Sun shining above it. On
the left periphery are the words “Navam Asiayee Khel” in Hindi and on the right
periphery are the words “IX Asian Games” in English. Below the Jantar Mantar
observatory image is the word “Delhi” indicating the venue of the city
organizing the Asian Games, below which is the year of issue “1982”. These
coins were minted at Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai mints. There is a gap
between “19” and “82” in the year of issue which shows no mint mark (Kolkata
mint issue) or a diamond mint mark (Mumbai mint issue)or a dot with a hole
(Hyderabad mint mark). This coin is apparently a Kolkata mint issue.
Other specifications of this coin are: Weight 2.3 gms; Metal
composition: Aluminium (96.5% Magnesium 3.5%). Shape: scalloped (12) size: 26
mm across 2 opposite scallops.
The above image is of a one-rupee postage stamp issued by the P&T Department, India showing the main stadium (named after Jawaharlal Nehru) to commemorate the IX Asian Games held at New Delhi in 1982.
1) XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi ,India ( 3rd
to 14th October 2010 ):
The largest ever international sports event in India was
organized in New Delhi from 3rd to 14th October 2010,
which towered over the 1951 and 1982 Asian Games conducted in India. A total of 71 Commonwealth Nations participated
in the Games with about 6000 athletes representing their countries. A total of
272 events took place in 21 sporting disciplines. The Medals Table topper was
Australia with an aggregate of 177 medals (74 Golds), India came in second with
an aggregate of 101 medals( 38 Golds), while England was third with a total of
142 medals (37 Golds).Despite several delays in getting the preparations done
for constructing Athlete’s village/stay arrangements/facilities, sports stadia,
tracks, four-lane flyovers/road infrastructure for reducing travelling time
from the Athlete’s village to the Stadia
etc. ,the Games were a grand success with negligible/minor hiccups. The initial
estimate of costs for organizing the Commonwealth Games was Rs.1600 crores (US
$360 million (approx.) in 2003 by the Indian Olympic Association. In the final
analysis, educated estimates put the cost at Rs.60000 crores (US $ 13.40
billion approx.) which put the costs of hosting the Games as the most expensive
ever. The fact that the Indian Government underwrote the cost of organizing the
Games, put the public exchequer at an enormous strain and has led to the entire
expenditure being put to intense judicial, media, public and audit scrutiny.
The Games were recognized as the first ever “Green
Commonwealth Games” with a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being signed
between the Organisers and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The Queen’s Baton Relay which was officially launched in October 2009
and contains Queen Elizabeth II’s message to athletes ,arrived on 03rd
October 2010 at the Games opening ceremony after travelling through 54 nations
of the Commonwealth. The final runner in the Baton relay was Sushil Kumar an
Indian athlete. The Games were officially opened by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
and Pratibha Patil, the President of India and the Athlete’s oath was administered
by Abhinav Bindra, India’s Olympic Gold Medalist. The main stadium, like in the
Asian Games was the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The events took place at 12
competition venues and 20 training venues were used.
Concept of the
Commonwealth Games :
The Commonwealth Games, first organized in 1930, are the
World’s second – most equally important multi-sport event (as the Asian Games) after
the Olympic Games. The Games are held once every four years involving athletes
of the Commonwealth Nations. The name of the Games has been changed several
times since its inception ( from
1930-1950 it was called the British Empire Games; from 1954-1966, the name was
British and Commonwealth Games; from
1970-1974 the name changed to British Commonwealth Games; the present name was
adopted in 1978 when the word “British” was dropped from the name).
Commemorative coin
issues by RBI:
The Reserve Bank of India issued four coins in various
denominations either as Proof/
Uncirculated coin sets (Rs.100/-, Rs.5/- and Rs.2/- denominations) and also for
general circulation (Rs.5/-, Rs.2/- and Rs.1/-) to commemorate the organizing
of the event.
Obverse of the five rupee coin issued for general
circulation, showing the Lion Capital of Emperor Asoka, below which is the
inscription “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth always Prevails) which together form the
emblem/symbol/Coat of Arms of the Sovereignty of the Government of India. Below
this image is the numeral “5” indicating the denomination of the coin. On the
left are the words “Bharat” and “Rupiye” in Hindi and on the right side are the
words “India” and “Rupees” in English.
Reverse of the above coin shows the Commonwealth Games Logo with
the words “Delhi 2010, XIX Commonwealth Games” below the logo. On the left
periphery are the words (19van Rashtramandal Khel dilli 2010” in Hindi and on
the right periphery are the words “XIX Commonwealth Games” in English. These
coins were minted at Kolkata and Mumbai mints. The above coin shows the Diamond
mint mark below the year of issue 2010, indicating that the coin was minted at
Mumbai mint.
The cover of the 3 coin Proof-set album showing the
Commonwealth Games Delhi logo on the
upper left hand side and the mascot
“Shera” on the right hand side.
The above is a Proof- coin set minted at the Kolkata mint (Obverse side) which has been received by me much after the stipulated delivery period of
six-months after a lot of correspondence from the India Government mint,
Kolkata (please refer my post “The strange case of the missing “Test coins”
elsewhere on this blog). The above image shows the obverse of a Rs. 100/- ,
Rs.5/- and Rs.2/- coin- set.
The Reverse of the above three coins showing the
Commonwealth Games logo with the words “Delhi 2010, XIX Commonwealth Games”
below the logo. On the left periphery are the words (19van Rashtramandal Khel
dilli 2010” in Hindi and on the right periphery are the words “XIX Commonwealth
Games” in English.
The specifications of the 3 coins are as under:
100 Rupees:
Shape and Diameter: Circular, 44mm, No. of serrations 200;
Weight 35 gms. Metal composition: Quaternary Alloy (Silver 50%, Copper 40%,
Nickel 5%, Zinc 5%)
5 Rupees:
Shape and Diameter: Circular, 23mm, No. of serrations 100;
Weight 6 gms Metal composition: Nickel Brass (Copper 75%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 5%)
2 Rupees:
Shape and Diameter: Circular, 27mm, Weight 5.62 gms Metal
composition: Ferritic Stainless Steel (Iron 83%, Chromium 17%)
The above is a miniature sheet of postage stamps issued by
the Posts & Telegraph Department, India showing the prominent stadiums
(Jawaharlal Nehru and Talkatora stadia where the Commonwealth Games were held in India.
The above is a miniature sheet of Postage stamps issued by the P&T Deptt. India to commemorate the Queen's Baton Relay.
The above is a miniature sheet of Postage stamps issued by the P&T Deptt. India depicting some of the past logos of the Commonwealth Games collected by me during a visit to the GPO on 22.11.15
Other recent sporting events commemorated by the Posts and Telegraphs Department, India:
Commonwealth Youth
Games:
A smaller version of the Commonwealth Games, these Games
are designed for the participation of the youth of all the 71 participating
countries. The first edition of these Games was held in Scotland in August 2000
and the third Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Pune (Maharashtra, India)
from 12th to 18th October 2008. In which young athletes (between
14 and 18 years of age) from 71 member-nations participated in 9 sporting
events.
The above is an image of a miniature sheet showing the
postage stamps issued by the Posts &Telegraphs Department, India to
commemorate the occasion.
The above is an image of a postage stamps miniature sheet issued to commemorate
the Beijing Olympics (held in 2008), showing pictures of the sporting events in which Indian
athletes excelled themselves.
Links:
1) Coins Commemorating London Olympics
2) Ryder Cup 2014 : Commemorative Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland
3) A 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics 2014
4) A set of 4 stamps issued by Indiapost to Commemorate the FIFA World Cup, Brazil, 2014
5) Limited Edition Gold & Silver coins issued on Sachin Tendulkar "World's Greatest Batsman" by the New Zealind Mint
6) Australia's greatest Cricketing Legend Sir Donald Bradman honoured by issue of 5 Pound Austrailan coins by the Royal Australian Mint.
7) Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint
8) Post Independence Indian coin issues: Commemorating Indian sports
Posts on Summer & Winter Olympics:
1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"
2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
Links:
1) Coins Commemorating London Olympics
2) Ryder Cup 2014 : Commemorative Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland
3) A 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics 2014
4) A set of 4 stamps issued by Indiapost to Commemorate the FIFA World Cup, Brazil, 2014
5) Limited Edition Gold & Silver coins issued on Sachin Tendulkar "World's Greatest Batsman" by the New Zealind Mint
6) Australia's greatest Cricketing Legend Sir Donald Bradman honoured by issue of 5 Pound Austrailan coins by the Royal Australian Mint.
7) Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint
8) Post Independence Indian coin issues: Commemorating Indian sports
Posts on Summer & Winter Olympics:
1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
2) For
the Moscow Summer Olympics held in 1980: please read the post on the following link: Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint
3) For
the Winter Olympics held at Sochi, Russia and the Commemorative Banknote
issued, please read the post on the following link:A 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics 2014
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"
2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
Some interesting links on Indian coins on this Blog:
Links to other posts on Indian Currency/Banknote denominations on this blog:
10) Did-you-know-series-1: Assists for identification of Currency Notes by visually challenged users
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