Important Points for Collection of Coins

1.  HANDLING OF A COIN
A Coin should always be held by its RIM/EDGE, with thumb and index finger. It should never be held from OBVERSE & REVERSE side, otherwise it will lose its weight and beauty. If possible the coins should be seen/checked where carpet or mat is spread over the floor, so as to reduce the climax of damaging the coin by falling.

2.  SIDES OF A COIN
Every coin has two sides OBVERSE & REVERSE. Obverse is also called head. It is the main side of a coin carrying the potrait head of the ruler or a Symbol and name of the country. Reverse is the back side of a coin and is called Tail. It depicts the denomination or issue price the coin with year and mint mark underneath. However in all the commemorative coins issued in India, the denomination is given under the ASHOKA LION CAPITAL

3.  EDGES OF COINS
There are four types of edges of coins.
i)    Reeded Edge (Milled Edge, with cross serrations on Rim)
ii)   Plain Edge (No mark on Rim)
iii)  Security Edge (with a deep indentation on the Rim as if in Two parts)
iv)  Oblique Edge (with serration at an Angle of 30'-45' degree to the Rim)

During the period 1835-2002, Coins with first three types of edges have been issued*
i)    Reeded Edge (Milled edge)                                 Cross cuts Serrations
ii)   Plain Edge                                                           No mark of line or groove on edge.    
iii)  Security Edge                                                      Looks like Two parts

4.  TECHNIQUE OF MINTING COINS
There are four methods of Minting Coins
i)    Punch Marked
ii)   Casting
iii)   Repousse
iv)   Die-Struck (Milled)
Since nineteenth Century, the die-struck milled method is being followed in every country. Machine minted coins have better finish, the labour cost is much reduced and output is manifold. In 1790, the above machines were bought from England, and manufacturing of Milled Coins started at Calcutta.

5.  MINT MARK ON COINS (local & Foreign)
Indian coins since 1835-2002 have the following Mint Marks which are found under the date (year of issue) of the coin. Specific Mint Mark is assigned to a specific Mint, which are explained below:-
i)     BOMBAY MINT (Mumbai)
The Bombay Mint has a small dot or diamond Mint mark under Date of the Coin.
ii)    CALCUTTA MINT (Kolkata)
The Calcutta Mint has No Mint Mark beneath the date of coin.
iii)    HYDERABAD MINT
The Hyderabad Mint has split diamond or a dot in diamond or five pointed STAR under the date of coin.
iv)    LAHORE MINT
The lahore Mint has a letter "L"  mint mark under the date of the coin. Production started on 5th October 1943 A.D.
v)    NOIDA MINT
The Noida Mint has a small or thick dot under the date of the Coin. Production Started on 1-7-1988.
vi)   PRETORIA MINT
The Pretoria Mint has diamond mark under the date 1943.
vii)  SEOUL MINT (Hundal Corporation Seoul)
The Seoul mint has a "Five Point Star" under the date of the coin but exactly below the first or Last Digits of dates 1985 and 1997.
viii) ROYAL MINT LONDON at BIRMINGHAM
The Birmingham Mint has a small dot under the date of the coin but exactly below the first Digit of Date 1985.
ix)  HEATON PRESS MINT
The Mint has Ornamental/ Decorated Letter "H" under the last digit of the date 1985.
x)  ROYAL CANADIAN MINT OTTAWA
This Ottawa Mint has a " C" mint mark under the date of the Coin.
xi) MEXICO MINT

The Mexico City Mint has a "" mint mark under the date of the Coin.

6.   COMPOSITION OF METALS & ALLOYS USED IN MINTING INDIAN COINS
i)    Gold (1835-1918)
ii)    Standard Silver (1835-1939)
iii)   Silver Alloy (1939-1945)
iv)   Silver Alloy (1969-71)
v)    Silver Alloy (1972-2011)
vi)   Copper (1835-1906)
vii)   Bronze (1906-1964)
viii)  Copper-Nickel (1906-2011)
ix)   Nickel Brass (1974-1971)
x)   Nickel (1946-1974)
xi)  Aluminium (1965-1993)
xii)  Stainless Steel (1988-2011)
All gold and Silver Coins from  1835 to 1939 were of 22ct. or 91.7% purity. Generally all coins are manufactured of the metals in 5 to 10% less than the denomination i.e. issue value, so that these are neither minted fake nor melted for a small profit. As a result, this has to be done to maintain the relationship with the cost of production & face value of the coin.

7.   SELECTION OF COINS FOR COLLECTION
Coins prior to 1901 should be of good and very good condition, and coins of after 1901 should be of very good and unc. condition if possible. All coins from 1835-1947 can be procured in unc. Condition but these are very costly. The new collector need to collect unc. coins issued prior to 1901. Mostly obsolete coins are not easily available in unc. condition.

8.   CONDITONS OF COINS
Coins have been divided into three category, Good, Very Good & Uncirculated (unc.). Brief description of each category is as follow:
i)   Good Coin
     A coin which remained much in circulation but its legend on both sides should be easible legible. there should be no CUT or DENTURE mark on the coin. Such coins get minimum price, which is 15-20% above the metal value.
ii)   Very Good Coin
      A coin which remained less in circulation but its legend on obverse and Reverse should be legible without the help of magnifying glass and its letters and figure should be tangible if touched by the index finger. There should not be any cut or denture mark and also no spot of any chemical. Such coins gather more value than good coins, but these should be kept carefully in such a way that these should not touch each other, so that these should not lose its shine and luster.

iii)   Un-Circulated (UNC) Coin
      The Coins for daily use by general public are regularly issued by Reverse Bank of India. All these coins are uncirculated coins (unc) at the time of issue. However these coins should be collected a few, as otherwise there may be shortage of change in the country and it will be less economical.
     Unc. coins are also issued for collector by India Government Mint, Mumbai & Kolkata, in Special packings.These coin are sold at premium. The Mints advertise in prominent website for sale and advance order are to be booked and paid in advance by bank draft. The demand draft for such unc. coins is to be sent at the following address:

9.    PROOF SETS
       Proof sets are issued by Government of India Mints Mumbai & Kolkata. The sets contain all the coins to be issued, with mirror-like luster and are specially packed. It also carries specification like: Weight, Dia. Metal Contents and Serration on the edge. The coins in the Proof sets of Mumbai have a special Mint mark "B" or "M" under the date on the reverse side. These coins are also sold at higher premium than unc. coins like unc. coins. The mint advertises for sale and advance orders are to be booked and paid in advance by bank draft, as in case of unc. sets. as stated above. There is no mint mark of Calcutta/Kolkata mint on proof coins also.

10.   HOW TO EVALUATE COINS ?
        We have already explained earlier about the three categories in which the coins are available. The market price depends on the condition and availability of the coin.
       Some coins are less minted and are thus more costly.

11.   RATE OF COINS
        The rates are not mentioned in this website due to Unstability of market price.

12.  MINTS IN INDIA
i)     Before 1947, i.e. pre-partiton of India
       There were four mints, namely at Bombay, Calcutta, Lahore and Madras.
ii)    After 1947, i.e. Post partition of India.
       There are four mints, namely Bombay, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Noida. After minting, they hand over the coins to the respective Reserve Banks of India, within their zones for putting into circulation.
iii)    Due to scarcity of Coins, the Govt. of India got coins minted from several foreign mints.

13.  CLEANING DIRTY COINS
       The Collector should take great care in the cleaning of the coins. The coins should never be cleaned with any chemical or wire brush. The coins should be cleaned as follows:
a)    Silver Coin may be cleaned with soap or tooth-powder and rubbed between the thumb  and the index finger.
b)    Copper, brass and bronze coins should be dipped in sour curd (khatta dahi) and rubbed with soft tooth-brush. The coins can also be cleaned in Tamarind (Imli) water and lemon juice diluted with water.
c)    Copper and Bronze coins may have greenish deposit (patina) on them. These can be cleaned by dipping them in coconut or seasame oil and rubbing with the hard tooth-brush. Tamarind water or lemon juice can also be used. Any edible oil may also be applied to all absolete copper; Bronze and Brass Coins, for protecting them from the greenish deposit. However nothing should be applied to unc. Coins.

14.    PRINCELY STATES CURRENCY
        There are more than 500 princely states and Estated, but only 110 could issue their own Currency.

15.   BRITISH RULERS OF INDIA
i)      East India Company of England (U.K.) Since 1600-1858 in India
ii)     William IV                            1830-1837 A.D.
iii)     Queen Victoria                    1837-1901 A.D.
iv)     Edward VII                         1901-1910 A.D.
v)     George V                             1911-1936 A.D.
vi)    Edward VIII                        20th Jan. 1936-10 Dec. 1936*
vii)   George VI                           1936-1947 A.D. in India

* No coin Issued in India as he was not crowned

World Currency List

A

Afghanistan : 1 afghani (af) = 100puls (p)

Albania : 1 lek (l) =100 qindarka (q)
Algeria : 1 dinar (d) = 100 centimes(c)
Andorra (French) : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 French franc (fr) = 100 centimes(c)
Andorra (Spanish) : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (c)
1 Spanish peseta (pta) = 100 centimos (c)
Angola : 1 Kwanza (kz) = 100 Iweys (I)
Anguilla : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Antigua & Barbuda : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Argentina : 1 pcso(p) =100 contavos(c)
Armenia : 1 dram (dr) = 100 lumas(I)
Aruba : 1 florin (fl) = 100 cents (¢)
Ascencion : 1 pound serting (£) = 100 pence (p)
Australia : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Austria : 1 Euro (e) =100 cents (¢)
1 Schillings (s) = 100 groschen (g)
Azerbaijan : 1 manat(m) =100 qepiq (q)
Azores : 1 Euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 Portuguese escudo (esc) = 100 centavos (c)


B
Bahamas : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Bahrain : 1 dinar = 1000 fils (f)
Bangladesh : 1 taka (t) = 100 poishas (p)
Barbados : 1 Dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Barbuda : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Belarus : 1 ruble (rub) = 100 kapeik (k)
Belgium : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Belize : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Benin : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Bermuda : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Bhutan : 1 ngultrum (nu) = 100 chetrum (ch)
Bolivia : 1 boliviano (b) = 100 centavos (c)
Bosnia – Herzegovina : 1 mark (m) = 100 pfenning (pf)
Botswana : 1 pula (p) = 100 thebe (t)
Brazil : 1 real (r) = 100 centavos(c)
British Antarctica Territory: 1 pound sterling (£) = 100 cents (¢)
British Virgin Island : 1 US dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Bulgaria : 1 lev (i) = 100 stotinki (st)
Burundi : 1 Franc (fr) = 100centimes(c)

C
Cambodia : 1 riel (r) = 100 cents (¢)
Cameroon : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

Canada : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

Cayman Island : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Central African Republic : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centiments (c)
Chad : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes
Chile : 1 pcso (p) = 100 centavos (c)
China : 1 yuan (y) = 100 fen (f)
Taiwan (china, Republic of) : 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents (¢)
Christmas Island : 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Cocos (Keeling) islands : 1 Australian Dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Colombia : 1 peso (p) = 100 centavos (c)
Congo People Republic : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centiments (c)
Comoro island : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Cong Democratic Republic : 1 congolese = 100 Franc (fr)ents (¢)
Cook Islands : 1 NZ dollar ($) = 100 c
Costa Rica : 1 colon (col) = 100 centimos (c)
Croatia : 1 Kuna (k) = 100 lipas(l)

Cuba : 1 peso (p) = 100 centavos (c)

Cyprus : 1 pound (£) = 100 cents (¢)
Czech Republic : 1 Koruna (k) = 100 haleru (h)

D
Denmark : 1 krone (kr) = 100 ore (0)
Djibouti : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Dominican Republic : 1 peso (p) = 100 centavos (c)
Dominica : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

E
Ecuador : 1 sucre (s) = 100 centavos(c)

Egypt : 1 pound (£) = 100 piasters (pi)

EI Salvador : 1 Colon (col) = 100 centavos ( c)
Equatorial Guinea : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Eritrea : 1 nakfa (n) = 100 cents (¢)
Estonia : 1 kroon (kr) = 100 sents (s)
Ethiopia : 1 birr (b) = 100 cents (¢)

F
Falkland Island : 1 pound (£) = 100 pence (p)
Faeroes : 1 Danish krone (kr) = 100 ore (0)
Fiji : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢) ­
Finland : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 markka (mk) = 100 pennia (p)
France : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
French Polynesia : 1 CFP franc (fr) = 100 centiments (c)
French Southern & Antarctic Territory : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents(¢)
1 French franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

G
Gabon : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes(c)
Gambia : 1 dalasy (dal) = 100 cents (¢)
Georgia : 11ari (I) = 100 tetri (t)

Germany : 1 euro (e) =100 cents (¢)

1 Deutschemark (m) = 100 pfennings (pf)

Ghana : 1 cedi (c) = 100 pesewas (p)

Gibraltar : 1 pound (£) = 100 pence (p)
Great Britain : 1 pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p)
Greece : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 drachma (dr) = 100 Icpta (I)
Greenland : 1 Danish Krone (kr) = 100 ore (o) Grenada : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Guatemala : 1 quetzal (q) = 100 centayos (c)
Guernsey : 1 pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p) Guinea : 1 franc (fr) = 100 cauris (c)
Guinea : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Guyana : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents(¢)

H
Haiti : 1 gourde (g) = 100 centimes (c)
Honduras : 1 lempira (I) = 100 centavos (c)

Hong Kong : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

Hungary : 1 forint (ft) = 100 filler (f)

I
Iceland : 1 krona (kr) = 100 aurar(a)

India : 1 rupees (re) = 100 paise (p)

Indonesia : 1 rupiah (rp) = 100 sen (s)

Iran : 1 rial (r) = 100 diars (d)

Iraq : 1 dinnar(d) = 1,000 fills (f)
Ireland : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 pound (£) = 100 pence (p)
Isle of man : 1 Pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p) Israel : 1 shekel (s) = 100 agorot (a)

Italy : 1 euro(e) = 100 cents (¢)

1 lira (I) = 100 cents (¢)
Ivory coast : 1 CFAfranc(fr) = 100 centimes (c)

J
Jamaica : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Japan : 1 yen(y) =100sen(s)
Jersey : 1 pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p)
Jordan : 1 dinar(d) = 100 piasters

K
Kazakhstan : 1 tenge (te) = 100 tyyn (t)
Kenya : 1 Shilling (/-) = 100 Cents (¢)
Kiribati : 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Kiribati : 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Korea (North) : 1 won (w) = 100 chon (ch)

Korea (South) : 1 won (w) = 100chon (ch)

Kuwait : 1 dinar(d) = 1000fils (f)
Kyrgyzstan : 1 som (s) = 100tyyn (t)

L
Laos : 1 kip (K) =100att(a)
Latvia : 1 lats (I) = 100 santimi (s)
Lebanon : 1 Livre (I) = 100 piasters (p)
Lesotho : 1 loti (m, from plural maloti) = 100 lisent (from singular sente)
Liberia : 1 Dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Libya : 1 dinar(d) = 1000 dirhams(dh)
Liechtenstein : 1 Swiss franc (fr) = 100 rappers (rp)
Lithuania : 1 litas (I) = 100 centas (c)
Luxembourgh : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

M
Macau : 1 pataca (pa) = 100 avos (a)
Macedonia : 1 denair (de) = 100 deni (di)
Madagascar : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Madeira : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 Portuguese escudo (esc) = 100 centavos (c)
Malawi : 1 Kwacha (k) = 100 tambals (t)
Malaysia : 1 ringgit dollar ($) = 100sen (s)
Maldives : 1 rufiyaa (rf) = 100 larees (I)
Mali : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Malta : 1 lira (I) = 100 cents (¢)
Marshall Island : 1 US dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Mauritania : 1 ouguiya (um) = 5 khoums (kh)
Mauritius : 1 rupee (re) = 100 cents (¢)
Mayotee : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents(¢)
1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

Mexico : 1 peso (p) = 100 centavos (c)

Micronesia : 1 US dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Molova : 1 peso (p) = 100 centavos (c)
Monaco : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 French franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Mongolia : 1 tugrik (t) = 100 mung (mu)
Montserrat : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Morocco : 1 dirham (dh) = 100 centimes (c)
Mozambique : 1 metical (mt) = 100 centimos (c)
Myanmar : 1 kyat (k) = 100 pyas (p)

N
Namibia : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Nauru : 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

Nepal : 1 rupee (re) = 100 paise (p)

Netherlands : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)

1 guilder (g) = 100 cents (¢)
Netherland Antilles : 1 guilder (g) = 100 cents (¢) Nevis : 1 EC dollar($) = 100cents(¢)
New Caledonia : 1 CPF franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

New Zealand : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

Nicaragua : 1 Corboda (cor) = 100 centavos (c)
Niger : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Nigeria : 1 naira (n) = 100 kobo (k)
Niuafoou : 1 tangan pa'anga (pa) = 100 senti (s) Niue : 1 NZ dollars ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Norfolk Island : 1 Australian Dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Norway : 1 Krone (kr) = 100 ore (o)

0
Oman (Sultanate of) : 1 rial (ri) = 1000 bizas (b)

P

Pakistan : 1 rupee (re) = 100 paisa (p)

Palu : 1 US dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Panama : 1balboa (b) = 100 centesimos (c)
Papua New Guinea : 1 Kina (K) = 100 toea (t) Paraguay : 1 guarani (g) = 100 centimos (c)
Peru : 1 Sols (s) = 100 centimos (c)
Philippines : 1 Peso (p) = 100 sentimos (s)
Pitcairn Island : 1 NZ dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Poland : 1 zloty (zl) = 100 groszy (gr)
Portugal : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 escudo (esc) = 100 centavos (c)

Q
Qatar : 1 riyal (ri) : 100 dirhams(d)

R
Romania : 1 leu (I) = 100 bani (b)
Russia : 1 ruble (rub) = 100 kopecks (kop)
Rwanda : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)

S
St Helena : 1 pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p)
St. Kitts : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
St. Lucia : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
St .Pierre & Miquelon : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 French franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
St. Vincent Grenadines : 1 EC dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
San Marino : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 Italian lira (I) = 100 centesimi (c)
Sao Tome and Principe : 1 dobra (db) = 100 centimos (c)
Saudi Arabia : 1 riyal (ri) = 100 halalas (h)
Senegal : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes(c)
Seychelles : 1 rupee (re) = 100 cents (¢)
Sierra Lone : 1 leone (I) = 100 cents (¢)
Singapore : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Slovakia : 1 koruna (kr) = 100 haleru (h)
Slovenia : 1 tolar(t) = 100 stotins (s)
Solomon Island : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Somalia : 1 shilling (sh) = 100 centesimos (c)
South Africa : 1 rand (r) = 100cents (¢)
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands : 1 pound (£) = 100 pence (p)

Spain : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)

1 pesta (pta) = 100 centimi (c)
Sri lanka : 1 rupee (re) = 100 cents (¢)
Sudan : 1 dinar (d) = 10 pounds (£)
Suriname : 1 guilder (g) = 100 cents (¢)
Swaziland : 1 lilangeni (Ii) = 100 cents (¢)
Sweden : 1 Krona (kr) = 100 ore (o)
Switzerland : 1 franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Syria : 1 pound (£) = 100 piasters (p)

T
Tajikistan : 1 Somoni (s) = 100 dirams (d)
Tanzania : 1 Shilling (/-) = 100 Cents (¢)

Thailand : 1 bhat (b) = 100 satang (s)

Tongo : 1 CFA franc (fr) = 100 centimes(c)
Tokelau : 1 NZ dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Tonga : 1 pa'anga (pa) = 100 seniti (s)
Trinidad & Tobago : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Tristan Da Cunha : 1 Pound sterling (£) = 100 pence (p)
Tunisia : 1 dinar (d) = 1000 millimes (m)

Turkey : 1 lira (I) = 100 Kurush (k)

Turkish Republic of Nothern Cyprus: 1 turkish lira (I) = 100 kurus(k)
Turkmenistan : 1 manat (m) = 100 tongo (t)
Turks & Caicos Islands : 1 US dollar ($) = 100 Cents (¢)
Tuvalu : 1 Australian dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

U
Uganda : 1 Shilling (/-) = 100 cents (¢)
Ukraine : 1 hrynia (h) = 100 kopiyka (kop)
United Nations uses US currency in New York, Swiss currency in Geneva and Austrian currency in Vienna

United Arab Emirates : 1 dirham (d) = 100 Fils(f)

United States of America : 1 $ = 100 cents (¢)

Uruguay : 1 peso uruguayo (p) = 100 centesimos (c)
Uzbekistan : 1 sum (s) = 100 tyyn (t)

V
Vanuatu : 1 vatu (v) = 100 centimes (c)
Vatican City : 1 euro (e) = 100 cents (¢)
1 Italian lira (I) = 100 centesimi (c)
Venezuela : 1 bolivar (b) = 100 centimos (c)
Vietnam : 1 dong (d) =100 xu

W
Wallis & Futuna : 1 CFP franc (fr) = 100 centimes (c)
Western Samoa : 1 tala (t) = 100 sene(s)

Y
Yemen : 1 rial (ri) = 100 fils (f)
Yugoslavia : 1 dinar (d) = 100 paras (p)

ZZambia : 1 Kwacha (kw) = 100 ngwee (ng)
Zimbabwe : 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)

NUMISMATIC TERMINOLOGY

The glossary will help you understand terms and acronyms commonly used in the field of coin collecting.

• Abrasions - Light rubbing or scuffing from friction, not to be confused with hairlines or bag marks.
• Alloy - A combination of two or more metals.
• Annealing - The heating and cooling process by which planchets are softened to allow the metal to flow more smoothly during the strike.
• Bag mark - A surface mark, usually in the form of a nick, acquired by a coin when it came into contact with others in a mint bag. Bag marks are most common on large and heavy silver and gold coins.
• Blemishes - Minor nicks, marks, flaws, or spots of discoloration that mar the surface of a coin.
• Bronze - An alloy of copper, zinc, and tin.
• Bullion - Uncoined gold or silver in the form of ingots or plate.
• Business strike - A coin intended for circulation in the channels of commerce (in contrast to a proof coin specifically struck for collectors).
• Cleaning- Refers to removing dirt or otherwise altering the appearance of a coin through the use of abrasive materials that mar or scratch the surface in a detectable fashion.
• Commemorative- A coin issued to mark a special event or to honor an outstanding person.
• DDO/DDR - Doubled Die Obverse, an obverse die which exhibits doubled images in one or more places but in DDRa reverse die which exhibits doubled images in one or more places.
• Denticles or dentils - The tooth like raised design around the rims of some coins. They are part of the die design.
• Designer - The artist who creates a coin's principal devices.
• Details - Small features and fine lines in a coin design. Particularly those seen in hair, leaves, wreaths and feathers.
• Die - A metal object used to impress a design into a planchet. Dies are usually engraved incuse, so that the devices and inscriptions they produce will be in relief.
• Dipping - The act of removing tarnish, surface dirt, or changing the coloration of a coin by applying chemicals, or otherwise artificially treating it with liquids.
• Disme - The early spelling of the word "dime," one tenth of a dollar.
• Double eagle - A United States twenty dollar gold coin.
• Eagle - A United States ten dollar gold coin.
• Edge - The area which borders a coin's surface. Also referred to as coin's "third side." Edges of United States coins may be Reeded, lettered or plain.
• Electrotype - A counterfeit coin made by the electroplating process.
• Engraver - A person who cuts a design into a coinage die.
• Fineness - Purity of gold or silver, normally expressed in the terms of one thousand parts. •Grade- The condition or amount of wear that a coin has received. Generally, the less wear a given coin has received, the more valuable it is. Coins are graded on the A.N.A. numerical system from About Good-3 to Perfect Uncirculated-70.
• Hairlines - A series of minute lines or scratches, usually visible in the field of a coin, sometimes caused by cleaning or polishing.
• Half eagle - A United States five dollar gold coin.
• Hub or hob - A metal object with the intended coin design in relief on one end as it would appear on the finished coin. It is used to produce dies.
• Incuse - The design of a coin which has been impressed below the coin's surface. When the design is raised above the coin's surface, it is said to be in relief.
•"Key date" - Slang usually indicating the rarest (and therefore most expensive)date-and-mint of a particular coin series.
• Legend - The principal inscription on a coin.
• lg. - Abbreviation for the word "large,"generally referring to a date or mintmark.
• Luster - The glossy appearance of the surface of a coin. Although normally brilliant, with time luster may become dull, frosty, spotted or discolored.
• Milled edge - A raised rim around the outer surface of a coin. Not to be confused with the Reeded or serrated narrow edge of the coin.
• Mintmark - A symbol, usually a small letter, used to indicate at which mint a particular coin was struck.
• Modification - A minor alteration in the basic design of a coin.
• Motto - A word or phrase on a coin.
• Mule - A coin struck from obverse and reverse dies not originally intended to be used together.
• Numismatics - Area of study relating to coins, medals, or similar items.
• Numismatist - A student or collector of coins, medals, or similar items.
• Obverse - The front or fact side of a coin, usually the side with the date or the principal design. Opposite of the reverse side.
• Overdate - The date made by superimposing one or more different numbers on a previously dated die.
• Oxidation - The formulation of oxides or tarnish on the surface of a coin from exposure to air, dampness, industrial fumes, or other elements.
• Pattern - A prototype of a proposed coin design.
• Patina - A green or brown surface film found on ancient copper and bronze coins caused by oxidation over a long period of time.
• Planchet - Disk on which a design is impressed to make a coin, metal or token.
• Proof - Coins struck for collectors and using specially polished or otherwise prepared dies.
• Proof like - Used to describe any uncirculated coin with a mirror like reflective surface but lacking the full characteristics of a proof.
• Quarter eagle - A United States two and one half dollar gold coin.
• Reeded edge - The edge of a coin with grooved lines that run vertically around its perimeter. This type of edge is found on all current United States coins above the five cent denomination.
• Relief - Any part of a coin's design that is raised above the coin's surface. When the design has been impressed below the coin's surface, it is said to be incuse.
• Restrike - A coin struck from genuine dies at a date later than its original issue.
• Reverse - The side of a coin carrying the design of lesser importance. Opposite of the obverse side.
• Rim - The raised portion of a coin encircling the obverse and reverse which protects the designs of the coin from wear.
• Scratch - A deep line or groove in a coin caused by contact with a sharp or rough object.
• sm. - Abbreviation for the word "small," generally referring to a date or mintmark.
• Striations - Thin, light raised lines on the surface of a coin, caused by excessive polishing of the die.
• Striking - Refers to the process by which a coin is minted. Also refers to the sharpness of design details. A sharp strike or strong strike is one with all of the details struck very sharply; a weak strike has the details lightly impressed at the time of coining.
• Toning - Natural patination or discoloration of a coin's surface caused by the atmosphere over a long period of time. Toning is often very attractive, and many collectors prefer coins with this feature.
• Truncation - The sharply cut off bottom edge of a portrait.
• Type - A coin's basic distinguishing design.
• Unique - An item of which only one specimen is known to exist.
• Variety - A minor change from the basic type design of a coin.
• Weak strike - A coin with certain areas of its details (in the areas of high relief) not fully formed because of the hardness of alloy, insufficient striking pressure or improper die spacing.
• Wear - The abrasion of metal from a coin's surface caused by normal handling or circulation.
• Whizzing - The artificial treatment of a coin by wire brushing, acid dipping, or otherwise removing metal from the coin's surface to give it the artificial appearance of being in a higher grade. Whizzing is an alteration, not a grade or condition.

coin is a piece of metal

A coin is a piece of metal of prescribed weight, embellished with design and product under the directions of an authority, for its use as a medium of exchange and commercial transactions and so it has become a part of our daily life.

The word 'Coin' is derived from the Latin word "Cuneus" and it is believed that the first recorded use of coins was in China and Greece is around 700 BC and in India in the Sixth century BC. Almost all the rulers of the various Indian States issued their own unique coins of different shapes, sizes, weights and denominations, in gold, silver, brass and other metals. Early coins were die-struck manually and therefore were not uniform in shape and design. The earliest of such coins were casted coins & die-struck only on one side, and were thus uniface and because they had one to five marks incused on a single side, they are termed 'punchmark' coins.These punchmark coins are uniface & remained in use till 300 B.C; subsequently both sides began to be embossed with the bust and legend.

All that changed in the West in mid-seventeenth century (and in India in 1829 A.D. when the British set up the first two mints here) when the invention of the mill and screw machine which made it possible to mass produce coins of uniform weight and design. "MINT" is a factory where coins are made"

Coins are usually stamped from rolled metal blanks, now generally of a light, durable metal alloy, and have a design embossed upon them between the upper and lower dies of a coining press. Milled or lettered edges have been used since the seventeenth century, though considerably later in India.

There are four mints in India that produce the coins which serve our everyday needs, each with a long & distinguished history. The two oldest are Alipore (Calcutta) and Bombay mints, both were established in 1829 by the British Government, though the former was originally located in Calcutta and moved to its a present site in 1952. The Hyderabad mint was established in 1903 by the Government of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad  and was taken over by the Government of India in 1950 & started minting since 1953. Noida mint was set up in 1986 and Started minting ferritic stainless steel coins from 1988. Needless to say, all the four mints have undergone a continuing process of modernization, upgradation, and capacity enhancement to serve the requirements of a rapidly growing economy. Indian coins bear the distinctive marks of these mints but some coins were minted abroad and imported in 1857-58, 1943, 1985, 1997-2002 and these bear the mint marks of their origin. These coins are imported with the approval of Reserve Bank of India. The coins minted for circulation in India between 1835-2002 with be chronologically & denominationwise dealt with in this my Blog.

Collecting old, rare, and obsolete coins is a fascinating and extremely educative hobby, and one that has gained immense popularity and momentum in the course of this century. The study of coins and medallion is known as Numismatics. The coins are one of the important factor in restructuring the history of a country. It also increase the curosity of the collector into reading about other countries, people and place, and their customs. Although in West, a fairly large number of books on numismatics are published and catalogues of coins produced for every category of user. In India, sadly, no catalogue of Indian coins is available which is suitable for a layman. This site is an attempt to fill this void.

In contrast, most other facilities for would-be coin collectors are available in most of our cities. There are old coin dealers/changers at the city centre, and in small shops and often along the pavements of bazaars. Almost every state has a society for coin collectors where information can be exchanged, exhibitions are organized and the like. However, we still have a long way to go, which can be illustrated by a simple and very stark comparisons. It has been estimated that in USA with the populations of 31 crore, there are 15000 coin dealers and 23,00,000 coin collectors. In India with the 121 crore, there are 30,000 or so coin dealers and 30,00,000 serious coin collectors.

The market value of a coin is based on its condition which is of three Categories i.e. GOOD, VERY GOOD and uncirculated (UNC). UNC coins command the highest value.

Thus being a coin-collectors, you would in this very real sense be saving a national heritage. A collection can be viewed as a small saving account in which your savings are secure and earn an interest of atleast 10% or more per annum. Besides by being a coin collector, you would be performing a national service. Thousands of old and new coins are melted down, every day just for a small profit and often, through lack of knowledge and thus many times valuable and rare coins are lost. By being a coin collector you would in this very real sense, by saving a national heritage and thus serving your country.

Melting & Smelting of Coins is an offence & punishable under law. In future, these coins shall become a part of our National Heritage; it preserved and saved.