2017-08-18 Fri

The Republic of Chad from Africa released limited-edition silver coin on 15th August, to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami - the 5244th Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna.

Earlier as well, a Lord Ganesha coin was released by Ivory Coast in 2013, the Republic of Palau released a Lord Venkateswara coin in 2014. The Cook Islands released a coin featuring Bhagwan Adinath in 2015. Shri Shirdi Saibaba was featured on a coin issued by Niue Islands in 2015. Goddess Laxmi was depicted on a coin issued by Tuvalu Island in July 2017. Experts state that mints all over the world are issuing coins celebrating Indian themes and cultures to have an impact in the international numismatic market. In fact, Lord Krishna has been the favourite since a very long time. Tripura rulers and Vijaynagar emperors issued coins featuring Lord Krishna as well.

A numismatist named Alok K Goyal from Kolkata designed the Lord Krishna coin. It took three years for him to get the design idea of infant Lord Krishna on Leaf approved by some country. He wanted to retain the same design even after changes in available manufacturing technologies over time.

The coin has a three-dimensional design of Bal Krishna on a leaf and is made of 100-gram pure silver. As per Indian mythology, Krishna was taken from the prison cell of demon Kansa, in Mathura, to a small village of Nandgaon, by his father Vasudeva.

The coin will be serially numbered with Swiss Silver Hallmark. It has over 50 pieces of Swarovski crystals. It is packaged in a bamboo basket designed by artisans in Malda, West Bengal. It is believed that Vasudeva had used a similar basket to carry Lord Krishna from the prison cell of Kansa.

The coins are minted by The Helvetic Mint of Switzerland and cost Rs 25,555 per piece. The mintage limit is 501 pieces, out of which 251 pieces available in India.