1962 - Decimal Series Coin Set


The first decimal series coin set was issued in the year 1962 much after the adoption of the decimal coinage in the year 1957. Overall this was the 3rd in the series of definitive coin sets. The other being issued in 1950 and 1954.
One very interesting thing about this set is that the Rs 1 coin in the set is struck from Kolkata Mint. Generally all the coins in the sets are struck from a single mint. This is the only set in Republic India where the set contains a coin struck at different mint.
This along with the Definitive issues of 1950 and 1954, 1967, 1968 are among the rare and few definitive series issued Of course there are other definitive issues in the year 2011 and a partial set in 1970.
Being among the early sets of Republic India, the condition of the set has to be taken in the context of how the mints packaged. Being inexperienced, the mints packed this in ordinary cardboard by punching holes in it. And supposedly to protect coin used butter paper. Butter paper at that time was fancy. Thus finding the coin set in extremely good condition is next to impossible as however well preserved, the card board would show signs of wear and more often the butter paper would get torn off.
Most of the well preserved sets are outside of India as coin collecting was still in infancy in India during those period and collectors did not know much of storage of coins.
One can find quite a few individual coins that are slabbed to preserve and very few in the Original card board package remain intact. One can hardly see a set or two changing hands every year..




Proof Coin Set: 7 Coin Set
Coins of Rs 1 and Paise 50, 25, 10, 5, 3, 2, 1



UNC Coin Set: 7 Coin Set 
Coins of Rs 1 and Paise 50, 25, 10, 5, 3, 2, 1




UNC Coin Set: 6 Coin Set 
Coins of Paise 50, 25, 10, 5, 3, 2, 1
Images coming soon.


 



2 comments:

  1. Hi Admin,
    Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge and experience with us! your well written articles and photos are truly pleasant to read.

    I have the same 1962 ROI Decimal coins set. how can I tell if the set it real or fake? Do you know how many sets were produced? I uploaded some High Resolution photos to google photos so you can see the set. https://goo.gl/photos/ZiYwWJFrt8SL5r828

    Thank you for your help.
    Dov

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The mintage is not know. These were distributed by RBI and SBI branches. The set looks fine. It is difficult to identify fake of this set without physical examination. The coins are plenty. This one is proof and would have mirror finish, some circulation coins also have good finish. The fake generally take a old cardboard and put good quality coins. Hence one needs to see if the cardboard is old or fresh, color of cardboard shows fading with time etc. From the images it looks fine.

      Delete