Mint marks on coins of India
Mint marks are small letters or
symbols found on coins that indicate where the coin was produced. In India, these
mint marks play a significant role for collectors and hobbyists alike. They help
identify the origin of the coin, which can affect its value and rarity.
Mint Marks carried by coins minted
in India:
India has several mints across
the country, each producing coins with unique mint marks. The primary mints
include:
- Mumbai
Mint (M): One of the oldest mints in India, established in 1829.
Mint marks:
- Diamond Shape – Normal
issues - B – stands for Bombay (till
1995 on proof coins) - M – stands for Mumbai
(after 1995 on proof coins) - U – Stands for uncirculated
special coins.
- Kolkata Mint (B): Established in 1757, this
mint is known for producing various denominations of coins.
·
Mint marks: No mint mark
- Hyderabad
Mint (H): This mint was established in 1803.
Mint marks:
- Split Diamond – between
1953 & 1960 - Dot in a Diamond – between
1960 & 1968 - Five pointed star – since
1968. (in the center below year number)
- Noida Mint (N): A relatively newer mint that
began operations in 1988, it produces coins marked with an “N.”
·
Mint mark: rounded dot
Marks carried by coins minted abroad:
- Seoul Mint, South Korea
Mint mark: Five pointed star below the last numeral of the year.
- Taegu Mint, Korea
Mint mark: Five pointed star below the first numeral of the year.
- British Royal Mint
Llantrisant, UK
Mint mark: A diamond below the first numeral of the year.
- Heaton Press Mint, UK
Mint mark: Alphabet H below the last numeral of the year.
- Tower Mint, UK
Mint mark: U in peculiar font in the center below the year number.
- Royal Canadian Mint
Mint mark: Alphabet C in the center below the year number.
- Oeschger Maslach &
Co., Mexico City Mint
Mint mark: ‘M over o’ in the center below the year number.
- Moscow Mint, Russia
Mint mark: MMD in a peculiar way in the center below the year number.
- Kremnica Mint, Slovak
Republic
Mint mark: MK impressed in a circle in the center below the year
number.
- Pretoria Mint, South
Africa
Mint mark: Alphabet M in a semicircle in the center below the year number.
Importance of Mintmarks for
Collectors
For coin collectors,
understanding mintmarks is crucial as they can significantly influence a coin’s
value. Coins from certain mints may be rarer than others due to limited
production runs or historical significance.
Additionally, collectors often
seek to complete sets that include coins from all mints, making knowledge of
these marks essential for building a comprehensive collection.
Identifying Mintmarks
Mintmarks are usually located on
the reverse side of the coin or near the date. When examining a coin, look
closely at these areas to find the identifying mark. It’s important to note
that not all Indian coins have mintmarks; some older coins were produced
without them.
Conclusion
In summary, mintmarks on Indian
coins serve as vital indicators of their origin and can greatly affect their
desirability among collectors and hobbyists. By understanding what these marks
represent and how they relate to different mints across India, anyone can
enhance their appreciation for numismatics—the study or collection of currency.