Evolution And Journey Of 5 Paise Indian Coins

In 1957 A New Coin with a denomination of 5 "Naye Paise" were introduced in INDIA in the Category of Decimal Coins. Its fractional value in comparison to One Rupee was 1/20. It was a beautiful coin made of Copper and Nickel and had a pleasant & smooth appearance. Details of this coins are as under :

Year Of Circulation : 1957-1963

Value : 5 PAISE = 1/20 RUPEE

Metal : Cu-Ni (75% Copper + 25% Nickel)

Shape : Quadrangular (With Rounded Corners)

Diameter : 22 mm

Thickness : 1.7 mm

Weight : 4 Gms.

Obverse Description : 

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

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "रुपये का बीसवाँ भाग" in Hindi and a bold numeric "5" featuring in the center. At the bottom of it "नये पैसे" written in Hindi, followed by Year of Mintage with Mint Marks. 
Minted At : Bombay, Calcutta & Hyderabad.
Reference : KM #16

5 Naye Paise Copper Nickel Coin 1957 India

Second issue of this coin was issued in the year 1964 which had all features same as the coin mentioned above with only one change in its reverse. The letter below Numeric "5" "नये पैसे" was replaced with "पाँच पैसे" and every other features were kept unchanged. This coin was issued up to 1966. 
Minted At : Bombay, Calcutta & Hyderabad.

Reference : KM #17

5 Paise Copper Nickel Coin 1964 India

Further, from 1965 metal of this coin was changed. Instead of a Copper + Nickel Alloy now Aluminium 96% + Magnesium 4% Alloy was used for minting a coin of this denomination. Thus, weight of the coin was also reduced. Now, it was a light weight coin compared to its previous version. Features of this coin is given below : 

Year Of Circulation : 1967-1971

Value : 5 PAISE = 1/20 RUPEE

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

Shape : Quadrangular (With Rounded Corners)

Diameter : 22 mm

Thickness : 2.2 mm

Weight : 1.6 Gms.

Obverse Description : 

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

Reverse Description : 

Semi Circular Lettering "रुपये का बीसवाँ भाग" in Hindi and a bold numeric "5" featuring in the center. At the bottom of it "नये पैसे" written in Hindi, followed by Year of Mintage with Mint Marks. 
Minted At : Bombay, Calcutta & Hyderabad.

Reference : KM #18
Some more variations of this coin were also issued which were further referred as KM #18.1& KM #18.3.

5 Paise Aluminium Coin 1967 India

Again in the year 1972 a change was made there in this coin which grossly changed its appearance and features too. Reverse of this coin was converted in a new style. Now the fractional ratio with Rupee was withdrawn and a big Numeric "5" had replaced the smaller one. Now the denomination of the coin in both Hindi "पैसे" and English "PAISE" were given at the either side of the Numeric "5" in a circular curved lettering. And, instead of straight letters, date was also changed in a circular curved style of lettering. 

Year Of Issue/Circulation : 1972-1984

Minted At : Bombay, Calcutta & Hyderabad.

Reference : KM #18.4

However, another variation of this coin, which was further referred as KM #18.6 was also issued with few changes in Obverse like different font of "D" in INDIA and a fat and hairy Lion.

5 Paise Aluminium Coin 1972 India

The final and last version of this coin was issued since 1984 to 1994 with a gross change in its Obverse, Reverse and Thickness. Thickness of the coin was reduced. Hence, the coin became much lighter in weight. At Obverse, the size of Ashoka Lion Capitol was reduced with an added Legend "सत्यमेव जयते" below the pedestal of it. Lettering fonts in both Hindi & English were changed at both the Obverse and Reverse. Further, the Numeric "5" in the Reverse also looked much attractive due to its thinner font.

Year Of Issue/Circulation : 1984-1994

Value : 5 PAISE = 1/20 RUPEE

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

Shape : Quadrangular (With Rounded Corners)

Diameter : 22 mm

Thickness :1.5 mm

Weight : 1 Gms.

Obverse Description : 

Ashoka Lion Capitol With Legend "सत्यमेव जयते" (Meaning : Truth Alone Triumphs) below the pedestal of it. Lettering "भारत" & INDIA appearing at either side.

Reverse Description : 

A bold numeric "5" in a thinner font featuring in the center. At the bottom of it written year of Mintage with Mint Marks. "पैसे" and "PAISE" written at either sides of the Numeric "5" at the Reverse.
Minted At : Bombay, Calcutta & Hyderabad.

Reference : KM #23

5 Paise Aluminium Coin 1988 India

After the circulation of almost ten years this coin was stopped from being minted any more. But, it remained in the circulation for few more years. Overall life for this denomination was almost 40 years in circulation in Indian economy. 

Still, all variants of this coin carry a great value for the #Numismatists and #Coin_Lovers all around the world. 

Meanwhile, during the same era of circulation was 5 PAISE Coins some Commemorative Issues in the same denomination were also minted and circulated. Please wait for our next post about Commemorative Issues Of 5 PAISE Indian Coins.

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