7 rare Indian coins you didn't know about

While the currency we use on a daily basis, the rupee notes and coins are an integral part of our lives, we rarely focus on their designs or colours. This is where coin collectors or numismatists usually have an upper hand as they keep an eye out for coins and rupees that have a unique design, shape or colour. The Indian republic itself has had a historical journey through the years and yet many are not aware of some of the most unique coins the country has minted, with some that have not even been circulated. Let's find out!Image credits: Canva

Post-Independence, a new coinage system for the nation was required. While the coins were issued in 1950, in 1949 engraver Patrick Brindley designed a set of 8 coins ranging from 2 annas to 1 rupee. These carried different designs such as the national emblem, national bird, wheat, farmer and more. One such set from these coins which were ultimately rejected was sold at an auction in London in 2013 for £ 52,000.Image credits: Facebook

To honour the country's first Prime Minister, after his death in May 1964, the Bombay Mint issued commemorative coins on November 14th, 1964. With the value of 1 rupee and 50 paisa, these coins were made of pure nickel. Their design included the head of Nehru looking towards the left, with his name above and the years 1889-1964 below. The reverse side had the national emblem on the top with the value of the coin below. The 50 paisa coins were even more unique with Nehru's name in English on one side and Hindi on another. They were sold in 2011 for Rs65,000.Image credits: X

To honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during his birth centenary in 1996 and 1997, a special 2 rupee coin was minted with his face looking towards the left and being surrounded by his name in Hindi and English with 'centenary 1996' in Hindi. The reverse side of the coin had the emblem with the value of the coin.Image credits: X/@ramadialnet

In 2010, India hosted the Commonwealth Games for the first time. Thus, to commemorate the major sports event the country issued special 10 rupee coins. While the obverse side of the coins had the emblem along with the value, the reverse had the logo of the game. Image credits: Facebook

In 2010, the Reserve Bank of India celebrated the 1000 years of the renowned Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu by commissioning a 1000 rupee coin. The obverse of the coin had the emblem along with the value, and the reverse had the design of the temple's exterior, 'Thanjavur' and '1000 Years of Brihadeeswarar Temple' in Hindi and English along with the year 2010.

Image credits: X/@Vyasonmukh

Did you know that once, the Indian mint created coins that had their value in Braille engraved on them? In 2014, the Indian government issued rupees 2 coins on a trial basis with the Ashoka pillar on the obverse and the value on the reverse. The reverse side of the coin also had the value engraved in Braille along with the words EXPT. These coins were never circulated and one of them was sold at the Classical Numismatics Gallery in Ahmedabad for a shocking 40,000 rupees.Image credits: Bombayauctions.com

To celebrate the 'Father of the Nation's' 150th anniversary in 2019 a Rupees 150 coin made of pure silver was minted The reverse side of the coin had an engraving of the freedom fighter himself, along with his famous charkha, the years 1869-2019, '150 years of celebrating the mahatma' and '150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi' in Hindi and English.

Image credits: Facebook/Darshil Shah