Misc: Rs1000 & Rs 500 coins on Endangered Species

[kansal888]

Dear Friends

One of my reliable contacts informs me that mints are planning a BONANZA issue of coins on endangered species of animals. It will be a MEGA issue in which Proof sets & Unc sets will be issued on a series of four endangered animals over a period of two years. WWF was instrumental in conceiving these coins. WWF wants to attract the plight of endangered species. It is good that new themes are being explored and we are moving away from dead politicos in whose honour most of the coins are issued. A very exciting thing is that each of the three set will have some uniqueness:

•   The Himalayan Owl (Biological name - Aaprilious Fuliengera): A beautiful three coin set on Himalayan Owl in denomination of Rs 500, Rs 50 & Rs 5 is planned. The unique feature about this coin set is that for the first time coin of Rs 500 will be issued. Although our coinage act allows coins in any denominations upto Rs 1000, mints have not issued coins more than Rs 100. I understand that Sterling Silver (92.5%) will be used instead of usual quaternary alloy (50% silver). Mints have earlier used Sterling Silver only once - for Pie Fort (1981: Intl Year of Child).

•   The Great Panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca): Four denominations of Rs 1000, Rs 100, Rs 10 and Re 1 are planned. The unique feature about this coin set is that for the first time after independence, coins will be issued in gold. I hear that the Rs 1000 coin will have 5g gold. It has a beautiful picture of golden panda on white silver frosting. The value of gold itself will be Rs 8,500 as per current rates (Rs 17000 per 10g)! I don't think the complete set will be issued at a price less than Rs 10,000.

•   The Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris): This proof set will have a most unique feature. Since only 1411 tigers are left in India, the sum of denominations in the coin set will add up to 1411. For the first time, coins will be issued in denomination of Rs 1000, Rs 400 & Rs 11. Yeah, you have read it right – it will have odd denominations like Rs 11 & Rs 400. Although there is no bar in Coinage Act to issue odd denominations, mints has refrained from using them.  Only exception is Rs 75 coin being planned on Platinum Jubilee of RBI.

•   The Blue Whale: Details are not available right now. I will upload the details as soon as available.

Since only few of the above animals have survived, the coin sets will also be minted in very- very limited numbers. The coin sets will be as rare as the animals. One family residing at same address will be allowed to book only one set of each type (just like DDA flats). Moreover, the booking will be opened only for one week as against for three months. I hope dealers will not be able to book in hundreds!

As soon as any of you have any info on booking dates, please share it with all of us so that we don't miss the bus. I already sounded my non-coin collector friends to get ready to book these coins on my behalf. I feel that these coins will themselves become very rare/endangered /extinct in few years. Senior WWF officers are aware of things. If you happen to know any senior WWF officer, please cajole /request /beg/plead him for details so that we have more information.

To sum up, the coins will have many unique features:

•   High denomination like Rs 1000 & Rs 500
•   Odd denominations like Rs 400 & Rs 11
•   Use of gold first time after independence
•   Only one set can be booked from a given address
•   Booking period of only 1 week

I am trying to obtain scans of these beautiful masterpieces. I will shortly upload the scans. I also have a surprise in store for you –which I will shortly reveal.

Regards

[Patney]

It very nice hear that Indian Mints for the first time will be issuing commemorative coin on animals till now only coins were issued on leaders on their birth centenaries   

[Abhay]

Sanjayji, I think you are at wrong place. You should be in NDTV or CNN or BBC or AAJTAK.

ABHAY

[Kid Romeo]

great news....woohoo

[Bimat]

That's a good theme,but don't you think that commemorative coins with this theme in circulation standards will create more awareness among people? Issuing these coins in only unc/proof sets will hardly serve the purpose.

Also,these sets will be beyond the reach of common collectors because of high price...

And as for design,issuing a colored coin is OK,provided they have maintained the quality..

Aditya

[Bimat]

Sanjayji, I think you are at wrong place. You should be in NDTV or CNN or BBC or AAJTAK.

Exactly! Sanjay Kansal-Sabse Tez

This is the first place on internet where you can read about these new issues.Thanks for keeping us updated!

Aditya

[kansal888]

First Pics of special coins on Blue Whale, Himalayan Owl, Red Panda & Tiger

[kansal888]

Sorry Folks
That was an April Fool Joke

But I left four clues:
(a) I posted the news on April Fool's eve
(b) Biological name Aaprilious Fuliengera
(c) Red panda coin is of liberia -very common.
(d) Red panda coin has no inscription in Hindi.

[Figleaf]

Hey! That's not Indian wildlife. They are Dutch politicians!

Peter

[Bimat]

Hey! That's not Indian wildlife. They are Dutch politicians!

Do not make fun of those poor animals!

Aditya