Comments on Major New Circulation Sets of the 21st Century

[Bimat]

India issued a new series of circulation coins in 2004 (unity in diversity-the famous cross coins) which was discontinued in 2006 (or 2007?) and a new series was introduced in 2006 (or 2007? I'm confused) with the theme 'Natyamudra' which again will be discontinued in 2011.

Aditya

[<k>]

Looking at Numismaster, I can see 1, 2 and 10R for 2005-7, so 3 are normally enough to fulfil my criteria.

However, for the later series, I see some themes going from 2007-9 and some only from 2008-9. I'm wondering if these and the earlier ones should be regarded simply as extended commemoratives, rather than permanent design changes "proper". I feel these series really fall into a rather different category.

[Bimat]

However, for the later sereis, I see some themes going from 2007-9 and some only from 2008-9. I'm wondering if these and the earlier ones should be regarded simply as extended commemoratives, rather than permanent design changes "proper". I feel these series really fall into a rather different category.

Coins of later series are definitely not commemoratives, they are definitive issues only. The unity in diversity series was discontinued in 2007 after the controversy it created and new series was started in 2007, so there are two types of definitive coins for the year 2007!

Aditya

[Bimat]

2004-2007 Series: (Same design for the four denominations: 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees. 50 Paise coins weren't struck.) (Unity in Diversity series)



2007-2010 Series: (Designs vary for each denomination, 5 and 10 rupees coins had a different theme. 50 paise coin was issued with the same theme; see image below.)



And here's 5 rupees coin which had a theme 'connectivity and information technology': (Same theme for bimetallic tenner but a different design)



And to make the thinks even more interesting (or confusing? ), the 'old' design of 5 rupees coin was introduced again in 2009 (with metal change and weight was reduced as well) but the designs (and composition, weight etc) of other denominations (1, 2 and 10 rupees) remained unchanged.



50 Paise coins were introduced again in 2007 after a gap of 5 years but with the old theme:

.

2009 and 2010 dated coins had new design as mentioned above.



Aditya

[<k>]

Thanks, Aditya. Three years isn't a long time for a design series, is it? Even the Isle of Man's last longer than that.    Although Gibraltar issued a full one-off set in 2004.

[Bimat]

So the summary of the story is:

2004-2007 Series (Unity in diversity): all coins have same design (1R-10R), no 50 paise coin with this theme.

2007-2010 Series (Connectivity and IT): Different design for every denomination (5 and 10 rupees); 50 paise, 1 rupee and 2 rupee coins had another theme: 'Natyamudra'.

2007 50 paise: It has old 'National Integration' theme.

2009-2010: 5 Rupees coin with old theme is introduced again with reduction in weight and metal change.

Aditya

[<k>]

I've written on the new circulation coinage in personalities and events on Indian coins thread.  It was planned that the sets would be launch within relay distance of each other.., though the entire process had to be speeded up because of unabating criticism on various fronts on each theme and coin .

Maybe the series name should be changed to "Unabating criticism in diversity". 

[Figleaf]

So the summary of the story is:

It all looks a bit messy, but behind the scenes there was constant pressure to produce more coins in order to combat local scarcities in the face of criticism of the "cross" design. The powers that be probably had to cope with dies they thought they wouldn't have to use again.

I am in fact quite fond of the "restless comments". It keeps democracy alive and it beats apathy any day.

Peter

[<k>]

So the summary of the story is:

2004-2007 Series (Unity in diversity): all coins have same design (1R-10R), no 50 paise coin with this theme.

2007-2010 Series (Connectivity and IT): Different design for every denomination (5 and 10 rupees); 50 paise, 1 rupee and 2 rupee coins had another theme: 'Natyamudra'.

2007 50 paise: It has old 'National Integration' theme.

2009-2010: 5 Rupees coin with old theme is introduced again with reduction in weight and metal change.

Aditya

OK, what I've done is to stick to my original criteria and include any situation where there are 3 or more NEW coins/designs in a year; after that year, they are not new, and one or two issues alone in a year do not count (otherwise my list would be HUGE!).

[chrisild]

You mentioned the Turkish "Bin Lira" series (2001, #3) - well, that was a new set, so yes, why not list it there. Keep in mind though that "bin" is simply the Turkish word for "thousand"; they used that in order to avoid too many digits. The later "Yeni Lira" on the other hand (2005) was different in that "yeni" means "new".

And then, in the list of euro countries (2002, #1-14) you focus on one hand on the year 2002 - makes sense from a "cash" POV of course. But then you should list Greece as well; it was not among the "initial 11" in 1999, but joined the euro area in 2001, so was part of it when the cash became legal tender.

Christian

[<k>]

You mentioned the Turkish "Bin Lira" series (2001, #3) - well, that was a new set, so yes, why not list it there. Keep in mind though that "bin" is simply the Turkish word for "thousand"; they used that in order to avoid too many digits. The later "Yeni Lira" on the other hand (2005) was different in that "yeni" means "new".

Yes, I knew what bin meant but wrote BIN LIRA in capitals, so as to say this is the legend (as I'd write NEW PENCE in English re. the pre-1982 UK legend). Are you saying you think I should explain its meaning? As for the YENI, I described it as revaluation currency, which implies that it was a new lira.

And then, in the list of euro countries (2002, #1-14) you focus on one hand on the year 2002 - makes sense from a "cash" POV of course. But then you should list Greece as well; it was not among the "initial 11" in 1999, but joined the euro area in 2001, so was part of it when the cash became legal tender.

Well spotted - initially I had Greece and then accidentally lost it when I decided to change the image from the Greek national side to the common side.

[asm]

India issued a new series of circulation coins in 2004 (unity in diversity-the famous cross coins) which was discontinued in 2006 (or 2007?)

Issued from 2004 to 2007 though the first year coins are quite difficult to get. Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 10. There was a plan and a design for 50 paisa which (it appears) were never minted.

You missed the Information technology series of which only the Rs 5 & Rs 10 were issued.

and a new series was introduced in 2006 (or 2007? I'm confused) with the theme 'Natyamudra' which again will be discontinued in 2011.

2007 say the issue of Nrityamudra series. 50 Paisa, Re 1, Rs 2. Rs 5 and Rs 10 were to be minted. Never heard of any such issue....

The Indian mints have been notorious in releasing the coins long after they were minted. The Rs 5 cross (Unity in Diversity) minted in 2005 and the Rs 10 dated 2005 and 2006 were seen only in 2010. One is never too sure if some of the missing links see the light of day when the mints take up the next round of spring cleaning......

[chrisild]

Are you saying you think I should explain its meaning?

Well, I for one did not know what "bin" (Turkish) means until I came across those coins a couple of years ago. So yes, why not add something like "bin = 1000"?

Christian

[<k>]

Well, I for one did not know what "bin" (Turkish) means until I came across those coins a couple of years ago. So yes, why not add something like "bin = 1000"?

Christian

I only knew it after the news of that release, and now of course any collector interested in Turkey should know it. I checked and the "BIN" also appears prior to the 2001 set, so I've now deleted the reference to it and just referred to the set as a new design series.

[andyg]

Here is the "borderline" Syrian set from 2003, compared to 1996.