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.

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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.

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 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!