Three Extremely Rare Medieval Coins of India Issued by Muslim Rulers

There are some fine examples of Medieval India Coinage that will definitely make you go wow! Today, we take a look at three extremely rare and stunning medieval period coins that were issued by Muslim rulers.

Silver Tanka of Mamluk Dynasty Ruler, Razia Sultan

These extremely rare coins of medieval India were issued by the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi Sultanate during the regime of Raziya Sultan who reigned from 1236 AD to 1240 AD. These round shaped silver tanka coins weighed between 10.8 to 10.9 grams and were die-struck at Delhi mint in 635 AH.  These medieval period coins belonged to the Fi Ahd series and bore Arabic inscriptions. The obverse featured the legend Al-Sultan Al-AZam Shamsa Al-Dunya WaL Din Al-Sultan Al-Mu'Azzam Radiyyat Al-Dunya Wa'L Din, while the reverse depicted the text Fi Ahd Al-Imam Al-Mustansir Amir Al-MuMinin in Arabic.

Gold Tanka of Deccan Sultanate Ruler, Shams Al-Din Muhammad Shah III

Here’s another example of extremely rare Medieval coins of India which were issued by the Deccan Sultanate (also known as Bahamanis) during the regime of Shams Al-Din Muhammad Shah III who ruled from 1463 to 14 82 AD. This round shaped gold Tanka weighs 10.4 grams and belongs to the Al-mutasim series.  They were die-struck in the Anno Hijri year 867. Experts believe that these coins in Medieval India were struck from two reverse dies. The obverse side features the Arabic text Muhammad Shah Bin Humayun Shah al-Sultan (Khallad Mulkahu) where Muhammad is written on the top. The reverse side features the legend Muhammad Shah Bin Humayun Shah al-Sultan (Khallad Mulkahu) where Muhammad is written on the top.

Gold Tanka of Madura Sultanate Ruler, Ghiyat Al Din Muhammad Damghan Shah 

These extremely rare Medieval coins in India were issued by Madura Sultanate during the reign of Ghiyat Al Din Muhammad Damghan Shah, who ruled for four years from 1340 AD to 1344 AD. This marvellous Gold Tanka weighs between 11.8 to 11.9 grams. These round shaped coins of Medieval India were die-struck in the Anno Hijri year 741 at Daulatabad Mint. The obverse side features the Arabic text   Al Sultan Al Azam Ghiyat Al Dunya Wa'l Din Abu'l Muzaffar Muhammad Damghan Shah Al Sultan while the reverse side features the text Sikandar Al Sani Yamin Al Khilafa Nasir Amir Al Mominin, Date written out in margins around the legend with mint name.

The best way to learn about the history of Medieval India is by understanding and analysing the coinage from that time period. So, keep looking for more interesting Coins of Medieval India and do let us know if you find one!

History of Indian Notes – A Quick Overview and Interesting Facts

The earliest notes of India were issued by three banks - Bank of Hindostan which was functional from 1770 to 1832; the General Bank in Bengal and Bahar which was established by Hastings in 1773 and issued notes for two years; and the Bengal Bank which was functional from 1784 to 1791.

Old notes of India issued for Bengal presidency featured designs only on one side initially. Later on, these currency notes of India featured the allegorical female figure of Commerce and designs on both sides.

Bank of Bombay released beautiful currency notes in India from 1840 to 1860. Private and presidency banks were not allowed to issue paper money after the Currency Act came into effect from 1861. These Indian notes were better in quality than notes issued by other banks and they featured a picture of the Town Hall of Bombay. 

The Carnatic Bank, established by Fort St. George in 1788; the Madras Bank, founded in 1795 and the Asiatic Bank established in 1804, came together to form the Bank of Madras in 1843. This bank issued notes of India featuring the vignette of the then Governor of Madras, Sir Thomas Munroe.

The very first British India notes that were issued after the Currency Act belonged to the Victoria Portrait series and featured designs only on one side. These notes were produced out of handmade paper and came with better security features. They were cut into two parts, one part was sent by post and the other half was sent only after the receipt was confirmed.

The unifaced underprint issues were released in 1867 as the earlier notes from Victoria Portrait series were counterfeited on a large scale. The Currency Note Press was set up in Nasik in the year 1928. The press started printing currency notes of India with even better security features.

When it comes to old Indian notes issued by Princely states, Osmania Notes of Hyderabad are the only ones that were circulated. Rare notes of India issued by other colonial powers such as Portuguese bore denominations such as Rupias, Tangas and Escudos. Indian notes issued by the French colonial powers bore the denomination Roupies.

Hope you got a fair idea about the history of Indian notes. So look for these interesting and rare notes of India to put together a brilliant collection.
 

Want to Collect Coins of the world? Follow These Valuable Tips

Collecting world coins is a popular hobby across the globe in which numismatists, researchers, history lovers, and collectors in general, learn a lot about our past. If you want to build an interesting world coin collection, then here are certain tips that can be very helpful in the long run. These tips are applicable for those who have recently ventured into this hobby, as well as those who have been collecting coins since many years now.

Research is a Must
Knowledge is the most vital asset for any collector. To gain more knowledge about coins of the world, you must keep researching and reading whenever you get time. The moment you acquire a new coin, read about its origins, the kingdom which issued it, the history of that particular dynasty and its rulers etc. The next time you find a world coin issued by a ruler from the same dynasty, you should be able to identify it easily. Apart from that, if you have sound knowledge about coins from around the world, no coin dealer or collector will be able to fool you in terms of pricing or market value. This is the biggest advantage you have as a knowledgeable collector.
  
Join Communities
There are several online and offline groups and communities where people discuss about different types of valuable coins from around the world. Once you start meeting these people and discussing about coinage, you will slowly increase your knowledge base. Moreover, you might also get a chance to buy/sell/exchange world coins.

Attend Events
Keep looking for events like coin exhibitions, seminars and auctions that take place in and around your location. Here again, you will gain a new perspective about coins. You might get the opportunity to interact with expert numismatists at these events as well. It is always better to clear your doubts about world coins from these experts, as you can easily get misguided otherwise. 

Maintain and Organize your Collection
Maintaining the condition of coins from around the world is the responsibility of every collector. If you manage to maintain the condition of a rare historical coin for a long period of time, you might be able to sell it for a profit as its market value increases with time. Similarly, it is very important to organize your collection nicely as coins might get misplaced easily, resulting in a loss which you might regret later on.

Now that you’ve read these tips, go ahead and try putting together a world coin collection that everyone is jealous of.

Stamp Collecting Accessories and Their Two Main Categories

Everyone owns certain valuables that they love treasuring. Apart from jewellery and expensive objects there are other things that are priceless because of its emotional value. It could be a gift that a special someone has given you or it could be something that you have collected over the years. For a philatelist or a stamp collector, their stamp collection is their most prized possession. It takes several years to build an impressive collection of stamps but it doesn’t take even a moment to spoil or misplace them. That’s the reason why stamp collectors know the importance of taking care of their collectibles using quality stamp collecting accessories. You can categorise stamp collecting supplies into two main groups.  Let’s take a look at both these categories today.

Measurement and Analysis:
This type of philatelic supplies comprises of accessories that help collectors in handling, studying and measuring various aspects of a stamp. Tongs can be used to handle delicate stamps in an appropriate manner. A Magnifying glass can be used to study the intricate details of a stamp design while a perforation gauge can be used to measure and identify stamp perforations.  There are special Colour Gauges that allow you to classify stamps based on their colour schemes.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

Storage and Organisation:
These stamp collecting accessories are basically used to protect stamp collections from unwanted external elements such as dust and moisture. A stamp collection album or stamp stockbooks not only keep your stamps away from dust and moisture, but also help you in organising your collections based on different factors such as country names, themes etc. New stamp stockpages can be added to stamp binders so that you can safeguard your rare stamps dynamically as and when your collection keeps growing.

Non-collectors will never understand the hardships and troubles that a collector goes through while building an interesting set of stamps. They will also never understand what makes a collector pursue their hobby so seriously. If you are a passionate collector, you will pay no heed to people who de-motivate you or put you down. Simply keep believing in what you love doing the most and keep nurturing your collection. 

Four Ancient Indian Coins of South Indian Dynasties and Ancient Invaders

If you are a big fan of ancient Indian coins, then there are certain amazing varieties issued by South Indian dynasties and foreign invaders that you must definitely look for. Let’s explore four such Indian old coins.

Copper Coin of Pandya Dynasty
 
These old Indian coins were struck somewhere between 50 AD and 100 AD during the Sangam Age of Pandya Dynasty.  The square-shaped coins were die-struck in around 4.98 grams of copper. The obverse of this beautiful old coin of India featured a standing elephant facing right in front of a trident. Other three symbols featured above the elephant include jars, a vessel and a chakra. The reverse features an intricately designed fish symbol. 

Copper Coin of Chera Dynasty

These ancient Indian coins were issued in the southern parts of the subcontinent under the Chera Dynasty during the reign of Kongu Chera. These round shaped copper coins were die-struck in approximately 3.5 grams of copper and bore the denomination Kasu. The obverse of these historical coins of India featured a seated Goddess holding lotus flower in both her hands while a bow and arrow can be seen beside the Goddess. The reverse depicts a symbolic form of Narasimha.

Very Rare Silver Drachm of Indo-Greek Ruler Apollodotos

These are very rare historical coins that were issued somewhere between 180 BC and 160 BC by the foreign invaders Indo-Greeks during the regime of their ruler Apollodotos. This square shaped silver Drachm has a weight of 2. 42 grams and belongs to the Elephant type coins issued by this dynasty. These ancient coins of India were Die Struck at Panjhir mint and featured interesting designs on both, obverse and the reverse. The obverse side of the coin depicts a standing elephant facing right, a Greek legend that translates to “Basileos Apollodotoy Soteros" and a monogram below the elephant. The reverse side of this coin features a standing humped bull at the centre facing right, the Kharoshti legend which reads "Maharajasa Apaladatasa Tratarasa", and a monogram below the bull. If you find one of these ancient Indian coins, you are truly lucky!

Sassanian Imitation Silver Dramma

These coins of ancient India were issued between 700 AD and 1100 AD during the reign of Sassanian Imitation dynasty ruler Firuz Imitation Gaddhaiya Series 2. This round-shaped Silver Dramma was die-struck with fascinating designs. The obverse of these Indian ancient coins featured a bust of the King facing right. The unique aspect about the bust is that the head is very narrow and eyebrows become part of the forehead. The reverse depicts a fire altar in the centre, attendants with raised hands, sun in the left field and crescent in the right field, bodies made of dots where the dots symbolise the flame in the fire altar. Hands of the attendants are represented as a semi circle, becoming a part of the altar.

Hope you had fun reading about these four types of ancient Indian coins. Just in case you find one of these or any other Old Coins of India, don’t forget to send us pictures!

6 Interesting Antique Indian Coins Issued by Dutch and Danish Rulers

When it comes to Indian coinage from the colonial era, collectors are more inclined towards collecting rare coins of British India. There were many other European powers who issued rare coins in India. Let’s take a look at a few interesting colonial coins that were issued by the Dutch East India Company and Danish East India Company. 

Gold Pagoda of Dutch East India Company

These antique Indian coins were issued by the Dutch East India Company between the years 1747 and 1784. This gold pagoda was die-struck featuring a degenerated Vishnu, lazy "J" on the obverse and granulated designs on the reverse.

4 Cash Copper Coin of Dutch East India Company

These antique coins of India were issued by the Dutch East India Company and bore the denomination 4 Cash. They were die-struck in copper and featured the VOCX monogram along with letter N and digit 4 on the obverse. The reverse of these colonial coins featured Tamil text Nakapattanam.

1 Cash Lead Coin of Dutch East India Company

These antique India coins were die-struck by the Dutch East India Company in lead. They bore the denomination Cash and featured the N/VOC monogram on the Obverse while the reverse features the Tamil Legend in Two lines, Tamil "Nakapattanam".

1 Stuiver Copper Coin of Dutch East India Company

Here’s another example of antique Indian coins that was issued by the Dutch East India Company.  These copper coins bore the denomination Stuiver and were die-struck featuring the facing figure of God Kali on the obverse while the reverse depicts the Tamil inscription in two lines 'Nakapattanam'

1 Cash Lead Coin of Danish East India Company

These rare colonial coins were die-struck in lead by Danish East India Company during the regime of Christian IV. They bore the denomination cash and featured the texts DAN/NISB/ORG in three lines on the obverse while the reverse depicted the VOCD Monogram.

2 Cash copper coin of Danish East India Company

These antique coins of India were die-struck in Copper by Danish East India Company during the regime of Frederik V in 1761. They bore the denomination 2 Cash and featured the Crowned F5 Monogram, Block F on the obverse while the reverse featured a crowned DAC Monogram which divides date, 2 below.

Keep exploring more about the Rarest Coins of India that were issued by colonial powers other than the British East India Company and put together an impressive collection.

Types of Banknote Collecting Supplies and their Uses

There is a huge community of people out there who love collecting banknotes because they like exploring about new countries, their traditions, history and much more. However, not many are aware of the ways in which they can take care of their collection. Most collectors might store their valuable banknotes haphazardly, which might affect their condition in the long run. Very few of them understand the importance of investing in the right kind of banknote collecting supplies. Let’s take a look at different types of banknote accessories and how they help collectors in maintaining the condition of their notes for a long period of time.     

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

Banknote album:
A Banknote album contains several pages and each page contains plastic pouches in which you can slide in your banknotes. Both sides of these plastic pouches are transparent so that both the obverse and reverse designs are clearly visible. A banknote collection album protects your precious notes from dust and moisture. It also ensures that your notes never get folded or torn. The quality of banknote collecting supplies matters a lot as local brands manufacture them by using low-end materials. These accessories might not offer complete protection to your notes and their plastic pouches might get torn very easily. It is best if you stick to renowned and trusted brands so that you don’t have any regrets later on. 

Banknote sleeves:
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on banknote albums then you can buy banknote sleeves separately as well. These banknote accessories help in organising your collection based on different themes, time periods, country names and more. If you want to ensure that the market value of your collectibles does not drop over the years, then you must store your notes in branded banknote collecting supplies.

What differentiates a good collector from the rest is the level of commitment. If you are really committed towards your hobby then you will not think twice when it comes to investing in the best accessories out there. Now-a-days you will find all kinds of products on the internet. But it is your responsibility to do your bit of research before taking a final call. 

Interesting Varieties of Modern Indian Coins You Can Pursue Collecting

Coin collectors are generally keen on collecting ancient Indian coins and medieval coins of India. Most of them are not aware about interesting varieties of Modern Indian Coins and don’t explore them in detail. Today, let’s look at a few interesting examples of modern coins and their history.

After India’s independence on 15th August 1947, British currency was still circulated as frozen money for some period of time. The very first modern coins of India were introduced in the year 1950. These coins of modern India bore the denomination 1 rupee. I Pice Bronze Coin was issued by the Government of India in 1954. These round shaped coins belonged to the Anna Series, weighed 2.95 grams and had a diameter of 21 millimetres. Modern Indian coins of the denomination 1/2 Re, 1/4 Re, 2 Anna, 1 Anna and 1/2 Anna were the other coins to be issued in the same series before the decimal system was adopted in 1957.

Modern coins of India that were issued from 1957 to 1964 featured the text "Naya Paisa" which means "new" paisa in Hindi. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 (naya) paise coins were introduced during this period. One rupee coins had the same pre-decimal value. The extra legend was added so that people did not get confused between old paisa and the new paisa coins.

5 Paise Aluminium coins were issued by Government of India in the year 1976. These square shaped modern coins of India weighed around 1.5 grams and each side measured 22 millimetres. They belonged to the Decimal coinage series and were based on the theme “Food and Work for all”.

Stainless Steel was used to strike modern coins of India for the first time in 1988. In the year 1992, lighter stainless steel modern coins of the denomination 1 rupee were introduced alone with 5 rupee cupronickel coins. The latest coins of modern India are the 10 rupees coins. When it comes to rare modern coins in India, you can look for commemorative coins that were issued in limited numbers or modern Indian coins with errors. 

Two Fine Examples of British Currency in India you must have in your collection

The history of British India currency notes has always been fascinating due to which currency of British India is studied by notaphilists all across the globe. Let’s take a detailed look at two uniface notes of British India today.

50 Rupees British India Uniface Note of 1861

When it comes to British currency in India, this 50 Rupees note printed on handmade white paper for Calcutta circle on 13th July 1861 is considered to be very special.  These lovely British India notes were also known as Uniface notes as they featured a portrait of Queen Victoria on one side while the other side was left blank. These rectangular notes of British India had the dimensions 16cm X 30cm, featured the signature of H. Hydes and a prefix A.
The obverse of this currency of British India featured a portrait of Queen Victoria in a floral wreath; 'Government of India'; Serial numbers with prefix on both sides of the promise text; Denomination in words in Bangla and Persian; Circle between printed mirrored dates on both side; Denomination in numerals in a panel in Persian and Bangla; name of Sub-Circle as an overprint; Hand stamped signature, text 'For The Government Of India; Denomination panel in numerals and words. The Watermark features the text GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, denomination in words and numerals in a rectangle, signature of the finance member of legislative Council, Sir James Wilson, signature of the Governor General, Lord canning, wavy lines in central promise text panel.

1000 Rupees British India Uniface Note of 1867 

British Currency in India was issued in various denominations and designs. This British Indian currency note bore the denomination 1000 Rupees and was issued for Calcutta circle on white handmade moulded paper on 8th July 1867. These rectangular British India currency notes had the dimension 12cm X 17cm and featured designs only on one side. This Uniface Specimen note featured the prefix B and four languages on the language panel namely, Urdu, Hindi, Kaithi, Bengali.
The obverse of this currency of British India featured a Green underprint with two serial numbers; Language panel; Serial numbers on both sides below the language panel; text 'Government Of India'; two pairs of mirrored dates, Circle of Issue, promise text; Denomination panel on both sides; '1000/Rupees' in a hexagon in the top corners; 'For The Government Of India', signature; Irregular ovals under serial numbers and a big text '1000' inside the promise text. The watermark on these old notes of British India featured Wavy lines within a wavy rectangular panel, “INDIA”, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, Vertical RUPEES, Plate number in an alphabet, week and year of printing in four digits.

Not many would be lucky enough to have a special collection of British Currency in India. Keep looking for them, and let us know if you find anything interesting!

Four Coins of World issued by lesser known Empires and Territories

Coins of the world tell us a lot about the country or territory which issued it. Let’s take a close look at four valuable coins from around the world which were issued in lesser known corners of the globe.  

5 Fils Coin from Kuwait

When it comes of coins of the world, not many collectors are keen on collecting coins of Kuwait. Here’s an interesting 5 Fils coin from Kuwait which was struck by Al Sabah Dynasty under the regime of Abdullah Ibn Salim in 1961 or AH 1380. These round-shaped Nickel-Brass coins weighed around 2.50g and had a diameter of 19.5 millimetres. They were Die-Struck featuring the coin’s value within a circle and country's name below on the obverse. The reverse features a ship with sails and dates below.

Brass 10 Centimes from the French Protectorate of Cambodia

Several collectors of Coins from around the world like collecting token coinage as well, like this round shaped Brass 10 Centimes issued for the French Protectorate of Cambodia somewhere between 1875 and 1904. These coins of the world did not feature any year date and had a diameter of 26 millimetres. They were die-struck under the issuer, Panom Penh Royal Palace. The coin featured a square shaped hope in the centre. The Obverse featured the legend SOMDACH PREA NORODOM while the reverse featured the denomination.

Silver Baht from Thailand

If you like collecting interesting World Coins then here’s a beautiful silver coin issued for Chakri region under the regime of Rama III in 1824. These irregular shaped coins bore the denomination Baht and weighed somewhere around 14.86 grams to 15.43 grams. The year date was not mentioned on the coin.  The first mark of Rama III was the Krut bird, the second one was Prasat the palace, third was Dok Mai flower, fourth one was Bai Matum a bale-fruit tree and the fifth one was Ruang Puang beehive. An arrow head with just 1 dot below the point was used as the sixth mark of Rama III. The obverse featured the Prasat symbol. These striking coins fall under the category of Bullet Coinage and are also called as Silver Pot Duag.

25 Sous Silver Coin from the British Colony in Mauritius 

If you are looking for Valuable Coins from around the world, here’s an interesting round-shaped 3.29 grams 25 Sous silver coin issued for the British Colony in Mauritius during the regime of King George VI in 1822. The fascinating aspect about these world coins is that the legends are in French but the coins are actually British. Even though Mauritius was under the Britain, the language of the island remained French. The obverse features the legend RECU au TRESOR within a circular decoration. The reverse features the denomination within a circular pattern.

Start searching for these wonderful World Coins, and keep adding them to your collection.

How an Online Museum of Coins, Notes and Stamps makes Research Easy

Information and knowledge is the most important asset for any researcher. People who like collecting coins, banknotes or stamps are also always looking for the right kind for information. Unfortunately, the internet is filled with a lot of unreliable data. When a researcher or collector falls prey to this kind of data, he or she will have a distorted view about the coins, notes or stamps being researched. This is how misinformation spreads. Moreover, since we live in a digital age of mobile phones and improved connectivity, it doesn’t take much time to spread wrong information. In such a situation, there is a need for an Online Museum of Coins which can share authenticated and factual information about all kinds of coins in a systematic manner.   

The second problem that researchers face today is that of information overload. He or she has to refer multiple websites to research about a particular coin, note or stamp. Things can be much simpler if there is an online banknote museum or stamp museum which can aggregate relevant information and present it to you systematically. If you are looking for an online museum in India for coins then Mintage World is meant for you. You can search for information about a coin based on various filters such as time period, dynasty, ruler name, denomination, type of coin, metal type etc. It is also the best online museum in India for notes as you won’t just learn about early banknotes, British India notes, princely state issues and republic India notes but also about wonderful world notes.  You won’t find a better online museum in India for stamps, because the website does not just list important information about Indian and international stamps but also publishes interesting articles about history and latest releases.

Visiting a physical museum in India for coins is not very practical. Moreover, you will find very limited information in such a museum of coins or a museum in India for notes. Mintage World is a common platform from where you can access vital facts about coins, notes or stamps with just a few clicks. By referring an online museum of coins, notes and stamps, you can definitely put together a valuable collection. 

How Coin Collecting Supplies Can Protect a Dying Hobby

Coins are not merely pieces of metal. They are precious artefacts that have a lot of historical significance. Through the study of ancient coins, numismatists and coin collectors are unearthing several unknown and fascinating aspects about our past. However, youngsters today are not really keen on understanding history due to which the hobby of coin collecting has taken a back seat over the last few years. There is a need to revive this hobby and create more awareness about it among the youth of today. They should understand the importance of taking care of valuable coins by using quality coin collecting supplies. If necessary action is not taken now, there are chances that the beautiful hobby might die down in a few decades from now.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

When you keep coins out in the open, they stat undergoing a process called as oxidation. Moisture comes in contact with coins leading to unwanted abrasions and decolourization. Sometimes, essential legends and designs on coins get destroyed due to carelessness. Coin collecting accessories like coin albums, coin pages or coin capsules can stop the process of oxidisation by keeping your valuable coins safe from any kind of moisture or dust. Coin albums also allow collectors to manage collections in a moiré systematic manner. They ensure that none of your coins get misplaced accidentally. Coin collecting supplies such as coin capsules, coin holders and coin storage boxes are made of hard material which ensures that no scratches are formed on coins when you are moving them from one place to another.

Each individual on this earth should be proud of his or her past. They should value and respect traditions that have shaped them. When more and more children are introduced to the hobby of coin collecting, they will grow up to become well-informed and knowledgeable individuals. If you have been collecting coins already, then as patrons of this hobby, it is your duty to spread your knowledge as much as possible. You can also gift your little ones coin collecting supplies so that they start taking interest in this amazing hobby. It is all left to you, you can either watch your culture and traditions getting washed way with the tides of time, or you can take on the responsibility and bring about a much needed change.

5 Interesting Antique Indian Coins from the Colonial Period

Antique coins of India struck by colonial powers such as Dutch East India Company, Danish East India Company and French East India Company are not commonly found among collectors. Let’s take a look at five beautiful antique Indian coins that were struck during the colonial Era today. 

Copper Stuiver of Dutch East India Company

These antique coins of India issued by the Dutch East India Company bear the denomination Stuiver and were die-struck on Copper. The obverse featured a front-facing figure of Goddess Kali while the reverse featured the Tamil inscription 'Nakapattanam' in two lines.



Gold Pagoda of Dutch East India Company

These beautiful antique Indian coins issued by Dutch East India Company were die-struck struck in gold somewhere between 1784 and 1794. They bore the denomination Pagoda and featured a degenerated Vishnu, out lazy "J" at three O'clock on the obverse. The reverse of these colonial coins was granulated.

2 Cash Copper Coin of Danish East India Company

These rare coins in India were issued by Danish East India Company during the reign of Frederik V in the year 1761. These antique coins of India bore the denomination 2 Cash and were die-struck in copper. The obverse featured a crowned F5 Monogram, Block F while the reverse features a crowned DAC Monogram which divides the date, and number 2 below.




Silver Rupee of French East India Company

These antique India coins were issued by French East India Company during the reign of Shah Alam II in the year 1218 and Regnal year 43. These silver rupee coins followed the AH calendar system and were Die Struck at Arcot Mint.  The obverse featured a Persian legend Shah Alam and a Couplet.

Silver Half Rupee of East India Company 

These rare coins of British India were die-struck in 5.83 grams of Silver by East India Company during the reign of William IV in 1835 AD at Calcutta Mint. They bore the denomination half rupee and had a diameter of 24.9 millimetres. The obverse featured the letter “F” raised on truncation. The obverse featured an effigy of King facing right and the divided legend: WILLIAM IIII, KING. The reverse of these antique Indian coins featured the value in English and Persian, 1/4 RUPEE within a wreath of laurel. Other texts include EAST INDIA COMPANY 1835.

Keep searching for these wonderful Antique Coins of India and do share pictures if you find any!

Stamps of India and their Innumerable Varieties

For a philatelist or stamp collector who is interested in collecting thematic postage stamps, stamps of India present a wide array of exciting options. Let’s take a look at a few of them today.

First Stamp of India
The very first stamp of India was the Scinde Dawk. These old Indian stamps issued by the British are considered to be the oldest ones to be issued in Asia as well. The design was embossed on red sealing wax wafers which were later stuck on paper by people who wanted postal service.  These rare Indian Postage stamps were used within Sindh province. The word “Dawk” comes from a Hindi word “Dak”, meaning “Post” in Hindi. These rare Indian stamps bear a face value of half anna and less than 100 such stamps can be found in the market, making them even more desirable.

First Stamps of Independent India
The first stamp of Independent India featured the Indian tricolour with the slogan Jai Hind and was issued for foreign correspondence. These old stamps of India bore the denomination three and a half annas and were issued on 21st November 1947. Indian stamps dedicated to the father of our nation – Mahatma Gandhi on the 1st Anniversary of India’s independence – 15th August 1948. Temples, sculptures, monuments and fortresses from different parts of the country highlighting Indian heritage were featured on a series of definitive stamps of India that were issued on 15th August 1949. Old Indian stamps commemorating the inauguration of the Republic of India were issued on 26th January 1950. A variety of stamps in India based on the theme Technology and development were issued in 1955.

Modern Indian Stamps
Modern stamps of India feature various aspects about our country like culture, history, important personalities, art, literature, wildlife, architecture, science, innovations etc. India post has also issued four scented stamps of India dedicated to sandalwood, coffee, jasmine and rose. Indian stamps celebrating Children’s Day are designed based on a nationwide drawing competition for kids. A 15 rupees Indian stamp in the shape of a hexagon was released in the year 2008 featuring the Giant Tortoise. Stamps of India released last year highlighting the major events of the Hindu Epic Ramayana are also very artistic and beautiful. Special sets of Indian stamps have been released on trains, Indian dogs, Indian horses, migratory birds and many other interesting themes.

If you like collecting Postage Stamps of India than you must definitely look out for these unique varieties.

Stamp Collecting Accessories That Will Make you an Ace Collector

Through the hobby of stamp collecting, you can travel across the globe without a passport! Stamps of the world share various interesting facts about a country related to wildlife, architecture, science, history and more. It is very important for collectors to take good care of their stamps so that they can pass them on to the next generation. You must invest in good quality stamp collecting accessories if you are serious about pursuing this hobby. Let’s find out how stamp collecting supplies help in keeping your stamps in great condition.

Philatelic supplies like a stamp collection album help in organising your collection in a systematic manner. You can arrange your valuable stamps based on country name or separate themes so that it becomes easier to find a particular stamp from your collection. It is always better to maintain an index so that browsing through your collection becomes very easy for you or your fellow collectors. These stamp stockbooks are made of hard cover and the pages inside have plastic pockets to arrange stamps easily. Stamp binders are different from stamp collection albums as you have the option to insert new stamp stockpages inside, as and when your collection keeps growing in size. They are also thicker as compared to stamp stockbooks.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

 Stamp collecting accessories mentioned above make sure that your stamps don’t come in contact with dust our moisture. These external elements can have a direct impact on the condition of stamps. Apart from that, when you keep your stamps haphazardly in boxes or drawers, there are high chances that you would misplace them. The condition of your stamp plays a vital role while arriving at its market value. Stamps with minor tears or folds can bring down the market value like a pack of cards. You need to be extra careful when you are dealing with rare stamps whose value keeps on appreciating with time.

If you really want to experience the joy of collecting stamps, then you should definitely become more disciplined in your approach. By investing in the right kind of stamp collecting accessories you can always stay on top of your game.

Brief History of Indian Notes and Its Categories

Currency notes in India have evolved in a big way right from the Early Indian notes issued by the East India company to the modern notes of India that were issued after independence. Let’s take a look at the brief History of Indian Notes today.

Major Categories
Currency notes of India can be classified into four major groups namely, early banknotes of India issued for Bengal Presidency, Bombay Presidency and Madras presidency; notes of India issued during the British regime; Princely state issues of Hyderabad, Notes issued by other colonial powers like Portuguese and French and finally the modern notes of India that were issued after independence.

Early Banknotes
The Bank of Hindostan was operational from 1770 to 1832. The General Bank in Bengal and Bahar was established by Warren Hastings in 1773. These banks issued Early Indian notes until 1775. The Bengal Bank was established in 1784 and was operational till 1791.

British India Notes
British India notes can be further classified into four categories namely, Portrait Note of Queen Victoria, Uniface Notes of Government of India, King George V issues and King George VI issues. Rare notes of India featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria were issued in different denominations such as 10 Rupees, 20 Rupees, 50 Rupees, 100 Rupees, 500 Rupees and 1000 Rupees.

Princely State Issues
Osmania notes of Hyderabad were the only princely state issues that were circulated within the Indian subcontinent. These beautiful old notes of India featured intricate designs and Persian texts. They were issued in denominations such as 1 Rupee, 5 Rupees, 10 Rupees, 100 Rupees and 1000 Rupees.

Colonial Notes
Colonial notes of India issued by the Portuguese bore denominations such as Rupias, Tangas and Escudos. They were mainly green in colour with maroon designs and lettering. Rare notes of India issued during the French regime bore denominations such as 1 Roupie, 5 Roupies, 10 Roupies and 50 Roupies.

Modern Notes of India
Finally, the first notes of Independent India were issued in 1949 bearing the denomination 1 rupee. For two years after independence, extant notes of British India were in circulation. The latest entry into the family of Currency notes in India are the violet coloured 2000 rupees note, new 500 rupees note, chocolate brown coloured 10 rupees note, light blue coloured 50 rupees note, orange coloured 200 rupees note, and new 100 rupees note.

Through the study of the History of Indian Notes, we can learn a lot about our country’s past!

Postcard Accessories that will Engage You in a Relaxing Hobby

A few decades ago, when modern communication systems such as telephones and internet were not even invented, people used to write letters to each other from their heart. Youngsters from this generation cannot really experience the joy of writing letters. Postcards were a more evolved means of communication as plain letters can sometimes be very bland. Postcards contain a picture on one side generally and a few lines to write your message along with the recipient’s address. They were not enclosed before mailing it across and were a preferred choice when it’s about short messages. Just like there is a huge community of people who like collecting postage stamps, there are hobbyists who like collecting postcards as well. Serious collectors treasure their valuable collectibles in postcard accessories, so that they remain fresh for a long period of time.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

There are other passive collectors who do not understand the importance of investing in quality postcard collecting supplies. It is true that collecting postcards is not as lucrative as collecting coins or stamps as very few postcards are auctioned. However, one must respect the hobby by storing postcards in a postcard storage album or postcard plastic pockets. These postcards accessories not only ensure that your collection stays away from dust or moisture, but also helps in organising your collection effectively. Postcard collecting supplies like a postcard album or postcard plastic sleeves manufactured by well-known brands such as Lighthouse are extremely durable as they are made of high-quality material. You must prefer these brands over local brands.

Every time you visit a new place with family or friends, you can buy a postcard that has symbolic elements related to that particular destination. There is something about postcards that you will never find in photographs. It’s the perfect memoir that will always remind you about the wonderful times you spent exploring a place. You can also write something interesting on these postcards so that you can recollect exactly how you felt when you were visiting a new city. When you are back from a trip, remember to safely store valuables in quality postcard accessories.

In times when your attention span is reducing day by day, engage in a hobby that slows you down a bit in the comfort of your sweet memories.

Two Wonderful Notes of India from Colonial Period worth Collecting

The history of Indian notes will take you back to the times when India was under the British Regime. These Amazing old notes of India feature interesting designs and have a lot of stories to say. Let’s learn about two interesting notes of India, one which was issued by East India Company and the other which was issued by British India.

5 Company Rupees of Bengal Presidency  

These old Indian notes bore the denomination 5 Company Rupees and were printed on handmade White paper by the Bank of Bengal for circulation within Bengal Presidency during the colonial times. They were known as Uniface notes because they featured designs only on one side. The year date on these rectangular banknotes of the dimension 15cm X 28 cm was absent.
The vignette on these notes of India appeared on both sides in vertical panels and featured an Elephant with its Mahout. The text 'Union Bank' appears in English, Devanagari, Persian, and Bangla while the text 'Union Bank, Calcutta' appears in English on these old notes of India. The English text 'Calcutta' is surrounded by denomination in words in English, Bangla, Persian, and Hindi. The denomination appears in Roman, Devanagari, Persian, and Bangla numeral in corner panels of these currency notes of India. The Central Panel features Promise Text, Manuscript date, Manuscript serial number, Denomination in English, Devanagari, Bangla, and Persian numerals, 'Entd. By' manuscript signature, and 'Cashier' signature. The Watermark depicts the Ashokan Pillar. The text “on demand” appears before Promise text.

500 Rupees Uniface Note Featuring Queen Victoria

These rare notes of India were issued for Calcutta circle and bore the denomination 500 rupees. They were known as Uniface notes as they featured designs only on one side. They were printed on handmade white paper and featured a portrait of Queen Victoria.
The obverse of these currency notes in India featured a Profile portrait of Queen Victoria in a floral wreath; 'Government of India'; Serial numbers with prefix, promise text; Denomination in words in Bangla and Persian; Circle between printed mirrored dates on either side; Denomination in numerals in Persian and Bangla; The name of Sub-Circle is an overprint; Hand stamped signature at the time of issue 'For The Government Of India; Denomination panel in numerals and words.
The watermark of these old Indian notes depict the text GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, denomination in words and numerals, signature of Sir James Wilson, the finance member of legislative Council, signature of Lord canning, the Governor General. There are wavy lines in central promise text panel as well.

It is very difficult to find these beautiful Currency Notes in India with so much historical value. If you have similar Indian notes in your collection, do let us know!

Invest in Banknote Collecting Supplies to Make Money Out of a Hobby

Collecting banknotes can be a lucrative hobby if you are really keen on pursuing it seriously. There are many who take up this hobby along with their daily profession for an extra source of income. However, you must follow certain rules of the hobby if you want to make money out of it. The most important rule is to take good care of your collection using banknote collecting supplies. 

Why Store Notes Safely?
Unlike coins, banknotes get damaged more easily, which is why it is essential to store your valuable collectibles in banknote accessories. When a banknote comes in contact with moisture or dust of any kind, their life starts deteriorating slowly. When you store your precious currency notes in banknote album, you are ensuring that they never get degraded in any way. If your banknote collection album is completely full and you don’t want to buy a new one, then you can buy good quality banknote sleeves instead.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

Condition is the Key
Just like property rates, the value of rare banknotes keeps on appreciating with time. Collectors invest a lot of money in rare currency notes and wait for its market price to increase. It might take several years for the value of a rare note to shoot up considerably. However, during this long waiting-period, you must maintain the condition of your banknotes by storing them in banknote collecting supplies. If you are careless and store your notes haphazardly, then there are chances that you might fold or tear them accidentally. As they say, there is no point in crying over spilled milk, so it is much wiser to be extra-cautious right from the beginning. 

Go for Quality
There are many brands that produce different kinds of banknote accessories. Always choose good brands like Lighthouse over local brands as the former ones are much more durable. Apart from that, good brands use quality materials to manufacture their products, which will in turn help you take better care of your valuable banknotes.

So discover a hobby that will generate revenue and don’t forget to maintain the condition of your banknotes by storing them in branded Banknote Collecting supplies.

Medieval coins of Vijayanagara – Tuluva, Bikaner Princely state and Sultans of Madura

Coins of medieval India are found in so many different varieties that you will be truly amazed! The most popular medieval period coins of India are the ones that were issued during the Mughal period and the ones struck under the regime of Maratha Kings. However, if you really want to learn in depth about history of Medieval India, then you will have to research about the different categories of Medieval India coinage. Coins in Medieval India can be broadly classified into five different categories namely, Sultans, Mughals, Independent Kingdoms, Indian Princely states and Hindu Kingdoms. Let’s explore some examples from these varieties.

You must have heard of famous dynasties which ruled Delhi Sultanate like Mamluk, Khilji, Tughluq, Suri etc. but many of us might not be aware about the Sultans of Madura. Ghiyat Al Din Muhammad Damghan Shah was one of the rulers from this dynasty whose reign lasted for a short period of four years, from 1340 to 1344. Here’s one of the beautiful medieval coins of India that was issued under his regime in 744 AH. This extremely rare Gold Tanka weighs around 11.8 to 11.9 grams and was Die-Struck at Daulatabad. These exquisite medieval period coins featured the Persian legend Al Sultan Al Azam Shams Al Dunya Wa'd Din Abu'l Muzaffar Ibrahim Shah Al Sultan Khulidat Mamlakatahu on the obverse. The reverse of these medieval coins of India featured the legend Sikandar Al Sani Yamin Al Khilafa Nasir Amir Al Mominin along with Date at in margins and mint name.

Sadashivaraya was the ruler of Vijayanagara - Tuluva from 1542 to 1568. These Gold Pagodas are considered to be one of the most artistic coins in Medieval India.  They weigh around 3.4 grams and have a diameter of 11 to 12 millimetres. They belong to the Vishnu and Lakshmi series of Vijayanagara - Tuluva coins.  The obverse design of these lovely medieval coins of India featured Vishnu and Lakshmi sitting on a raised seat. Vishnu is holding a discus in his right hand while a conch in his left hand. The reverse depicted the Devanagari Legend "Sri Pra / ta pa Sa da si / va ra ya" in three lines.


Sardar Singh ruled Bikaner Princely state from 1851 to 1872. During his regime, he issued some extremely rare medieval period coins. This 1/4 Rupee copper coin weighs around 2.67 to 2.90 grams and has a diameter of 18 to 21 millimetres. These round or irregular shaped medieval coins of India were die struck at Bikanir Mint and followed the Anno Hijri Calendar system. The obverse featured name and title of Alamgir, AH date and a lined upright leaf, while the reverse featured Mint marks and a Persian legend.

 Keep looking out for these stunning Medieval Period Coins of India and do share pictures of your collection!

Three Stunning Independent India Stamps from Three Different Categories

Indian postage stamps issued before independence depicted portraits of Kings and Queens. However, Independent India Stamps present fascinating varieties for collectors. From the First Stamp of Independent India featuring the national flag to the latest Ramayan stamps, each and every issue share valuable information about different aspects of vibrant India. Stamps of Independent India can be classified into five major groups namely, military issues, commemorative issues, republic definitive stamps, miniature sheets and se-tenant stamps. Let’s explore some wonderful stamps from three of these categories.

3 Paise Military Issue Featuring Ajanta Panel 

This Violet Grey coloured 3 paise definitive stamp featuring the Ajanta Panel was issued on 17th October 1953 using the typography process. These military stamps were issued for the Indian soldiers who were assigned the mission to keep 22,959 prisoners of war of different countries under custody in Korea, and work on their repatriation or disposal. The main objective was to maintain international peace in the Korean peninsula that was affected by war. These Independent India stamps had a perforation of 14 unites and featured several stars as its watermark. The overprint text read Bhartiya Samraksha Cutuck Korea in Hindi.  

12 Annas Commemorative Stamp Celebrating 1st Asian Games 

These bright violet coloured 12 Annas commemorative stamps were issued on 4th March 1951 to celebrate the first Asian games. 2.4 million such stamps were printed at the India Security Press, in Nasik using the Offset Lithography technique. These amazing stamps of Independent India had a perforation of 14 units and depicted many stars as its watermark. The design depicted a hand holding a burning torch. The first Asian Games was hosted by India in New Delhi from 4th to 11th March 1951.

3 Annas Sanchi Stupa Definitive Stamp

These definitive 3 Annas Independent India stamps were issued on 15th August 1949. These Brown-orange coloured stamps depicted the east gate of Sanchi Stupa.  They were printed at the India Security Press in Nasik and belonged to the first series named “2nd Anniversary of Independence Archaeological & Historical Monuments”. These stamps of India have a perforation of 13 units and depicted four stars as its watermark.  Situated in Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa was build under the regime of emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is one of the oldest stone structures in India.

Apart from the above mentioned stamps of Independent India, there are several other themes and varieties that can be explored in depth.

Want to buy currency notes online? Check out these Four Fascinating Options

Gone are the days when collectors had to wait for months or even years to add a new note to their collection. Today, you have the privilege to buy currency notes online with just a few clicks. There are hundreds of websites that offer old currency for sale. However, you must be very careful, as many of them sell fake notes. It is not really wise to look for random online portals that offer very old note collections for sale. Instead, seek websites that sell modern banknotes at a decent rate.  If you are searching for reputed websites that offer banknotes for sale, then here are a few options worth considering.

10 Kwacha Note of Zambia

This beautiful 10 Kwacha note of Zambia is in great condition and features designs that rightly represent the country. The website offers this world paper money for sale just for Rs 225. The note comes along with an information card that contains vital data about Zambia and this particular note.

 


2 Rupees Note of Pakistan
 
Here is a wonderful 2 rupees note of Pakistan that has Arabic texts on both sides. If you are looking to expand your collection and are searching for websites that offer world currency notes for sale, then do not miss this opportunity. Buy this 2 rupees banknote of Pakistan just for Rs 300. Again, the note comes in an information card that contains vital data and descriptions.

5 Centavos Note of Nicaragua

When you are looking for world paper money for sale, you will hardly find any website that shares interesting information about the country and designs imprinted on the note. Here is a chance to own a stunning 5 Centavos Note of Nicaragua that comes inside an information card with exciting facts about this unknown country.

 


1 Rupee Note of Nepal

This amazing 1 rupee note of Nepal features two running Deer on one side and the King of Nepal on the other side. If you are looking to buy currency notes online then grab this chance right away! This 1 rupee note of Nepal comes along with a description card that provides all the necessary knowledge about Nepal and this currency note.
 

We have only talked about four striking banknotes as of now, but the website offers several other fascinating World Currency Notes for Sale! Check your collection right now and upgrade it right away.

Four Ancient Indian Coins to Seek for as a Collector

Old Indian coins have always been in the spotlight in the world of numismatists. These ancient Indian coins have a lot of historical value in the market which is why they are sold for impressive amounts at auction houses. Let’s take a look at some Rare Historical Coins of India that coin collectors from all over the globe love. 

Here is a scarce 1 Shatamana Silver Plated Copper and Copper coin of Gandhara Janapada. These beautiful ancient coins of India weighed around 11.3 grams and were struck using the Punch Marked technique somewhere between 600 BC and 300 BC. The designs were inscribed using two punches and were based on a flower theme. The obverse of these Indian old coins featured two six petal flowers while the reverse was left blank.


This is another scarce Karshapana Silver coin from Magadha Janapada that was struck between 600BC and 550 BC. These old Indian coins weighed around 3.5 and were produced using the punch marked technique. The obverse design featuring a sun, a six-armed symbol, a Taurine and a Bull was created using five separate punches. The Taurine is surrounded by dots on three sides while the bull is facing right.


This is one of the wonderful Indian ancient coins that were struck by Imperial Magadha Rulers of Magadha-Mauryan Empire somewhere between 600BC and 150BC. These irregular shaped silver coins bore the denomination Karshapana and weighed around 2.9 to 3.5 grams. They were struck using a punch-marked technique to create several interesting illustrations on the obverse like a six armed symbol; a Sun; bow and arrow; four taurines and an Elephant. You should consider yourself to be lucky if you have one of these historical Indian coins in your collection.

This old coin of India was issued by Kashi Janapada between 600BC and 525BC. These rare historical coins of India bore the denomination 5 Shana and were struck in 6.4 grams of silver. They were produced using the Punch Marked technique with four punches of two abstract symbols and two flowers on the obverse. Like most other ancient Indian coins, there were no designs on the other side.

Keep your eyes wide open for these stunning ancient coins of India!