Golden Era Of Aluminium Coins Of Republic India : Part - 1

How many of you do remember the days when few aluminium coins in your pocket were enough to make you feel rich? Perhaps a few? But, yes those were the days when it was a truth. Later, after passing of the time their value went off and they became of no use. Let us remember those days once again at least just for the sake of remembrance. First Aluminium Coin was issued in Independent India was of a value of 1 Paisa. Mintage of these coins were started in the year of 1965 and continued till 1981. More details about this coin is as mentioned below :

Year Of Issue : 1965-1981

Value : 1 Paisa = 1/100 RUPEE

Metal : Aluminium (96% Aluminium + 4% Magnesium)

Shape : Square 

Diameter : 17 mm

Thickness : 1.7 mm

General Description : Aluminium Coin with Rounded Corners and Embossed Edge.

Obverse Description : 

Ashoka Lion Capitol With Lettering "भारत" & INDIA appearing at either side.

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "पैसा" and "PAISA" at both the sides with a bold numeric "1" featuring in the center and at the bottom of it Year of Mintage with Mint Marks.

1 Paisa Aluminum Coin

These coins have ruled the Indian pockets for a pretty long time. But, as a result of devaluation of money later they lost their worth and went away from the circulation. Though this coin has lost its time, yet the Indian people may remember the famous song. 

गरीबों की सुनो, वो तुम्हारी सुनेगा.

तुम एक पैसा दोगे, वो दस लाख देगा. 

Secondly we'll discuss another Aluminium Coin which came in existence was a coin of 2 Paise. Though, it was actually third Aluminium Coin which was circulated in India. Whereas, a 3 Paise Aluminium Coin was the second Aluminium Coin which came in to circulation. Nevertheless, we'll discuss about the same later after this. Now, let us talk about 2 Paise Aluminium Coin which also was started minting since 1965 and continued up to 1981. Let's have a look about the important features of this coin.

Year Of Issue : 1965-1981

Value : 2 Paise = 1/50 RUPEE

Metal : Aluminium (96% Aluminium + 4% Magnesium)

Shape : Scalloped (8 rounded notches) 

Diameter : 20 mm

Thickness : 1.6 mm

General Description : Aluminium Coin with Scalloped Round Notches and Embossed Edge.

Obverse Description : 

Ashoka Lion Capitol With Lettering "भारत" & INDIA appearing at either side.

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "पैसे" and "PAISE" at both the sides with a bold numeric "2" featuring in the center and at the bottom of it Year of Mintage with Mint Marks.

2 Paisa Aluminum Coin

This 2 Paise were also had a great value in those days and thus remained quite worthy since a long time and ruled over Indian pockets for more than 16 years. And, having it in the pocket was nothing less than anything.

Here, we should discuss about that Aluminium Coin Which was the actual second entry in the Era of Aluminium Coins in India. This was 3 Paise Aluminium Coin which was launched in the Year of 1964 and continued mintage till 1971. Please find below more details about this coin :

Year Of Issue : 1964-1971

Value : 3 Paisa 

Metal : Aluminium (96% Aluminium + 4% Magnesium)

Shape : Hexagonal (Six Sided with Rounded Corners) 

Diameter : 21 mm

Thickness : 2 mm

General Description : Hexagonal Shaped Aluminium Coin with Rounded Corners. 

Obverse Description : 

Ashoka Lion Capitol With Lettering "भारत" & INDIA appearing at either side.

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "तीन पैसे" and a bold numeric "3" featuring in the center and at the bottom of it Year of Mintage with Mint Marks.

3 Paise Aluminium Coin

Govt decided to stop minting of this coin just after seven years of its commencement. Because, of late this denomination of coin could not establish its rationality since, other coin combinations were enough to suffice the need of three paise for all practical purposes. However, the minted coins remained in the circulation for a pretty long time and Indian mass had enjoyed its warmth in their pocket for a long-long time. 

Then it was the most popular 5 Paise Aluminium Coin which had too many versions in it. Though, the denomination of 5 Paise in Cupro-Nickel was arrived quite early in the year of 1957 only but the first Aluminium Coin in this denomination was issued in the year 1967. Further, a second version of this coin came in 1972 which continued till 1983 and later a last but not the least another version came in 1984 and continued till 1994. Hence, It could be said that this was the coin which had the longest survival in the Indian Market and its economy. Details of its first issue is mentioned below:

Year Of Issue : 1967-1971, [1972-1983 & 1984-1994(Thinner Coin)]

Value : 5 Paisa = 1/20 Rupee

Metal : Aluminium (96% Aluminium + 4% Magnesium)

Shape : Quadrangular (4 Sided with Rounded Corners) 

Diameter : 22 mm

Thickness : 1.5 mm

General Description : Quadrangular Shaped Aluminium Coin with Rounded Corners. 

Obverse Description : 

Ashoka Lion Capitol With Lettering "भारत" & INDIA appearing at either side.

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "रुपये का बीसवाँ भाग" and a bold numeric "5" featuring in the center and at the bottom of it "पाँच पैसे" written in Hindi followed by Year of Mintage with Mint Marks.

5 Paise Aluminium Coin

Now, if we see the total duration of circulation then it could be clearly said that "Yes, it was the 5 Paise Aluminium Coin which have been had its longest presence in the Indian economy and in the pockets of Indian people. This was the coin which was happily accepted in the transactions even after many years of withdrawal of mintage.

In next post we shall discuss about other Aluminium Coins of Republic Of India. Till then, "Happy Reading" and Lots Of Good Wishes For You And Your Family. 

To Be Continued : Please Click Here

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