Specs portraits on coins

Better angle your specs, before seeing this world as crooked – Pipolem! It is quoted beautifully by a numismatist that currency or coins do not miss anything; the circulating coin represents the picture of the present society in some or the other way. A similar statement can be said for the Republic India coin, they illustrate a different aspect of India through them. One of the eyes-catching themes is the spectacular personalities or Specs portraits on coins. Since independent Government of India has issued many commemorative coins marking events or honouring personalities. These eleven personalities on commemorative coins have spectacles. This article is just trying to cover the spectacular personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar and other intellectual and bespectacled heroes.

 

Specs portraits on coins

 

Spectacular Personalities: Dr B.R. Ambedkar

The drafter of Indian Constitution, Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar or popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar. Ambedkar was a multi-talented Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer. He pioneered the Dalit Buddhism movement in India and worked tirelessly for their welfare.

Government of India issued a ten-rupee coin in 2015 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. This coin can be added to Specs portraits on coins series. The outer ring of the bi-metallic coin is composed of aluminium bronze alloy and the centrepiece is made up of copper-nickel.

Spectacular Personalities: Mahatma Gandhi

This personality of India does not need any introduction. The father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi is the inspiration for not only Indians but many of the world prominent leaders. Just like Independence Day and Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti is one of the three national holidays of India and also celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

In 1969, Government of India issued a 50 paisa commemorative coin to celebrate the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. The simple specs of Gandhiji, the true essence of his persona is beautifully illustrated on this coin. Many people claim that Gandhiji’s simple personality reflects properly through his clear glasses. This fact makes this coin a key collection in this Specs portraits on coins series.

 

Specs portraits on coins

 

Spectacular Personalities: Jayaprakash Narayan

The Lok Nayak-People’s Hero Jayaprakash Narayan was the spectacular Indian politician in ’70s. His idea of Total Revolution gave a tough fight regime of Indira Gandhi. He is honoured with the highest civil award of Indian the ‘Bharat Ratna’ and also awarded the “Magsaysay award” for Public service.

To celebrate his 10th birth anniversary a centenary issued of 1 rupee was issued by Indian Government. Again the portrait used was the Bespectacled, a great man with his specs changing the world, making this coin a perfect specimen in series Specs portraits on coins.

Spectacular Personalities: Subhas Chandra Bose

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian nationalist, who will always be engraved in the hearts of every true Indian. He was the President of Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1939. With the Japanese support, Bose organised the Indian National Army (INA) and he is also credited with creating popular Indian slogans, such as “Jai Hind,”—and the INA under Bose was a model of diversity by region, ethnicity, religion, and even gender.

Government of India release a circulating commemorative coin in 1996 in copper-nickel. It was issued to celebrate the birth centenary of Subhas Chandra Bose. This is a masterpiece in all the commemorative coin depicting the bespectacled portrait of Subhas Chandra Bose. This coin is the most fascinating pieces in the collection of Specs portraits on coins.

The specs on coins series are a collector series that can be a jewel for the collection. These spectacular personalities are some of the game changers and king marker of Indian history and politics. They have not only influenced a generation but there thought and efforts have given birth to a modern India we see today

The Mintage World Team comprises of experts, researchers and writers from the field of Philately, Notaphily and Numismatics who try to shed light on some of the most interesting aspects of coins, banknotes and stamps from not just India but across the globe as well.

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