Commemorative Coins: Here's How India Rolls Out Special Coins To Mark Unique Occasions

A commemorative Rs 100 coin will be released to mark the 100 editions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, which is set to complete its 100th episode on April 30

India has issued several commemorative coins of Rs 100 denomination in the past to mark important events or to pay tribute to distinguished personalities.

Source : Ministry of Finance

The government has decided to roll out a commemorative Rs 100 coin to mark the 100th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’. The programme is set to complete its 100th episode this Sunday, on April 30. The Centre is organising various events starting from Wednesday with the National Conclave on Mann Ki Baat.

The Rs 100 coin is said to be different from the normal coins in currency. The coin which will be released will feature a microphone and the year ‘2023’ written on it. According to a notification issued by the government, only one hundred rupees coin will be minted. The coin will have a diameter of 44 mm. It will be made of four metals — 50 per cent silver, 40 per cent copper, 5 per cent nickel, and 5 per cent zinc. 

What are commemorative coins? 

Commemorative coins are also called collector’s coins. These coins are anybody’s prized possession. And the range of these exclusive coins manufactured by IGMs are the result of a proven track record, where key words like efficiency, excellence and elegance are to be reckoned with. These commemorative coins are manufactured in Proof and Uncirculated varieties.

India has issued several commemorative coins of Rs 100 denomination in the past to mark important events or to pay tribute to distinguished personalities.

The government has issued a large number of commemorative coins to date. Commemorative coins are often issued to mark important events or occasions, and new coins are released periodically. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued more than 350 commemorative coins since India's independence in 1947.

According to Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India website, there are special categories of coins, such as souvenir coins, commemorative coins, gold & silver coins, and medallions.

Commemorative Coins Released In Recent Past 

Apart from this one, the government will introduce a commemorative Rs 100 silver coin featuring the image of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and TDP founder Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) on the occasion of his centenary year on May 28.

Last year, the prime minister released a commemorative postal stamp and commemorative coins of Rs 100 denomination at the 90th Interpol General Assembly being held in New Delhi.

To mark 175 years of the establishment of IIT-Roorkee, the Centre last July issued a Rs 175 coin.

Modi released a commemorative coin worth Rs 100 in honour of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died in August 2018. The coin was released a day before Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary.

A commemorative coin of Rs 100 was also issued on the occasion of the birth centenary of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, while a coin of Rs 100 was also released on the 476th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap.

This will not be the first time when the government will release a Rs 100 commemorative coin. On many occasions, the government earlier issued such coins to commemorate certain special moments and days. Rs 100 coin was issued in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. 

Recently, Modi has launched a new line of coins as a part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations by the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs. The coins of denomination of Re 1, Rs 2, 5, 10, and 20 observe the 75 years of freedom that will be marked with this year’s Independence Day. However, these coins aren’t supposed to be just commemorative coins, but will also be circulated as regular currency.

From political leaders to cultural icons, from memorable events to sports faces of famous personalities have been a part of commemorative coins. Some examples include the Carnatic singer MS Subbulakshmi, actor-turned-Tamil Nadu CM MG Ramachandran, Nobel Laureate and missionary Mother Teresa, and so on. From religion, sports, anniversaries, India has been launching commemorative coins to mark those special occasions.