115) New Series of coins issued by Reserve Bank of India/India Government Mints in 2011: An uncirculated coin set issued by IGM Mumbai:

115) New Series of coins issued by Reserve Bank of India/India Government Mints in 2011: An uncirculated coin set issued by IGM Mumbai:

In 2011, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a new set of circulation coins which superseded all other issues in coin design. However, all previous coin designs/issues above the denomination of 50 paise still continue to be legal tender till any further notification by RBI.

The undernoted discussion is based on an uncirculated coin set issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai (IGM, Mumbai): 

The outer jacket/cover of the coins card showing the colours of the Indian Flag Saffron, white and green, with an artistic presentation of the five coins placed together.

The back of the jacket/cover.

The obverse faces of the five coins in the denominations of 50 paise, one (1) rupee, two (2) rupees, five (5) rupees and ten (10) rupees. The title mentions “Bhartiya sikkon ki nayi shrankhla - 2011” in Hindi/Devnagri and “Indian Coinage New Series – 2011”. The specifications of the coin are mentioned. 

The five coin set has the Indian flag colours, saffron, white and green in the background.

The Reverse faces of the five coins are shown on this side with the additional information “Bhartiya Sarkar Taksal, Mumbai dwara Nirmit” in Hindi and “Minted by I.G. Mint, Mumbai” in English.

Obverse of the 10 (ten) rupee coin. This coin is bi-metallic. On the left periphery is mentioned “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) while on the right periphery is mentioned “India” (in English). The centre piece design has the Lion Capitol, with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) mentioned below it. On the lower periphery is mentioned the year of issue “2011”.

Reverse of the 10 (ten) rupee coin. It shows 10 raised marks on the top, below which are the rupee symbol and the numeral “10”.

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular; Size/Diameter: 27.00 mm; Weight: 7.71 gms;

Metal Composition: Outer Ring (Aluminium Bronze) Copper – 92%, Aluminium – 6%, Nickel – 2%. Centre Piece: (Cupro-Nickel) Copper – 75%; Nickel – 25%.

Obverse of a Rupees Five (5) coin. On the left periphery is mentioned “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) while on the right periphery is mentioned “India” (in English). The centre piece design has the Lion Capitol, with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) mentioned below it.

Reverse of a Rupees Five (5) coin. On both left and right peripheries are stalks showing lotuses in full bloom topped with Lotus buds. Lotus is the National flower of India. This design is a variation of the lotus designs on the earlier five rupee coins and has now been introduced in all the coins issued in this Series.  In the centre top is the rupee symbol below which is the denominational value “5” of the coin. On the lower periphery is the year of issue – “2011”. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular; Size/Diameter: 23.00 mm; Weight: 6.00 gms;

Metal Composition: (Nickel Brass) – Copper 75%, Zinc 20% and Nickel (hold your breath!!) 25%. (Thus, as per the specifications given by the Mumbai Mint, one is led to believe that the metal composition of this coin is 120%) Tsk! Tsk! Speaks volumes of the quality of proof-reading at the Mumbai Mint before releasing Commemorative coins). Actually, the Nickel content should be 5% and not 25% as represented on the coin card).

Obverse of a Rupees Two (2) coin. On the left periphery is mentioned “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) while on the right periphery is mentioned “India” (in English). The centre piece design has the Lion Capitol, with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) mentioned below it.

Reverse of a Rupees Two (2) coin. On both left and right peripheries are stalks showing lotuses in full bloom topped with Lotus buds. In the centre top is the rupee symbol below which is the denominational value “2” of the coin. On the lower periphery is the year of issue – “2011”. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular; Size/Diameter: 25.00 mm; Weight: 4.85 gms;

Metal Composition: (Ferritic Stainless steel – FSS) – Iron 83%, Chromium 17%.

Obverse of a one Rupee (1) coin. On the left periphery is mentioned “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) while on the right periphery is mentioned “India” (in English). The centre piece design has the Lion Capitol, with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) mentioned below it.

Reverse of a one Rupee (1) coin. On both left and right peripheries are stalks showing lotuses in full bloom topped with Lotus buds. In the centre top is the rupee symbol below which is the denominational value “1” of the coin. On the lower periphery is the year of issue – “2011”. 

The specifications of this coin are:

 Shape: Circular; Size/Diameter: 22.00 mm; Weight: 3.79 gms;

Metal Composition: (Ferritic Stainless Steel – FSS) – Iron 83%, Chromium 17%.

Obverse of a Fifty (50) paise coin. On the left periphery is mentioned “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) while on the right periphery is mentioned “India” (in English). The centre piece design has the Lion Capitol, with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) mentioned below it. 

Reverse of a fifty (50) paise coin. On both left and right peripheries are stalks showing lotuses in full bloom topped with Lotus buds. In the centre top, the rupee symbol which is seen in the higher denomination coins is replaced by the word “paise” (in Hindi/Devanagri) below which is the denominational value “50” of the coin, together with the word “Paise” (in English). On the lower periphery is the year of issue – “2011”. 

The specifications of this coin are:

 Shape: Circular; Size/Diameter: 19.00 mm; Weight: 2.83 gms;

Metal Composition: (Ferritic Stainless Steel – FSS) – Iron 83%, Chromium 17%.

An observation:

With the demonetisation of the 25 paise coin in 2011, now only one paise denominated coin is in circulation – the fifty (50) paise coin, the other coins being denominated in Rupees. Also, because of its diminished value, the 50 paise coin is rarely found in circulation and is being collected by Numismatists for their collections as an “endangered species”, a denomination which although a legal tender is not found much in circulation, as transactions are being rounded off to the nearest rupee.