5 Rupees: 2006-2009

5 Rupees: 2006 - 2009 

Mahatma Basaveshwara - 2006 

Year: 2006

Metal: Copper-nickel

Weight: 8.85 gm

Diameter: 23 mm

Thickness: 2 mm

Year: 2006
Metal: Stainless Steel
Weight: 6 g
Diameter: 23 mm
Thickness: 2 mm

Commemorative issue: Mahatma Basveshwara.

Obverse: Ashoka Lion symbol and the denomination below it.
Reverse: Mahatma Basaveshwara portrait.

Mahatma Basavanna

Basava (also known as Bhakti Bhandari Basavanna or Basaveshwara (1134–1196)) was an Indian philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet and a social reformer in the state of Karnataka, India. Basava fought against the practice of the caste system, which discriminated against people based on their birth, and other rituals in Hinduism.He spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas. Basavanna used Ishtalinga, an image of the Shiva Linga, to eradicate untouchability, to establish equality among all human beings and as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment. These were rational and progressive social thoughts in the twelth century. He was a man ahead of his time, who believed that conflict should be resolved through debate and not violence. He advocated mercy towards both humans and animals

In commemoration of Basaveshwara, India issued this 5 rupees coin, on 23rd June 2006 for general circulation. This 5 Rupees coin was issued in two metal compositions i.e. Copper-Nickel and Stainless Steel. Another coin of 100 rupees was issued as proof/uncirculated specimen. 

Click here to know more about Mahatma Basaveshwara.

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Jagath Guru Shree Narayan Gurudev - 2006 

Commemorative issue: 150th Birth Anniversary of Shree Narayana Guru Dev.

Obverse: Ashoka lion symbol and the denomination below.

Reverse: Portrait of Narayana Gurudev.

In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Jagath Guru Sree Narayana Gurudev, India issued this 5 rupees coin in September 2006 for general circulation. This coin was issued in two metal compositions i.e. one in Copper-Nickel and other in Stainless steel. Another coin in the denomination of 100 rupees was issued as proof/uncirculated specimen.

Narayana Guru

Narayana Guru (1856–1928), also seen as Sree Narayana Guru Swami, was a Hindu saint, sadhu and social reformer of India. The Guru was born into an Ezhava family, in an era when people from backward communities like the Ezhavas faced much social injustices in the caste-ridden Kerala society. Gurudevan, as he was fondly known to his followers, led Reform movement in Kerala, revolted against casteism and worked on propagating new values of freedom in spirituality and of social equality. He is revered for his Vedic knowledge, poetic proficiency, openness to the views of others, non-violent philosophy and his resolve to set aright social wrongs.

Click here to know more about Jagath Guru.

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State Bank Of India - 2006 

Year: 2006
Metal: Stainless Steel
Weight: 6 gm
Diameter: 23 mm
Thickness: 2.13 mm

Commemorative issue: 200th Anniversary of the State Bank of India.

Obverse: Ashoka Pillar Lion Capitol and denomination below.

Reverse: SBI logo flanked by leaves.

State Bank of India Logo

State Bank of India (SBI) is a banking and financial services company based in India. It is a state-owned corporation with its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.The bank traces its ancestry to British India, through the Imperial Bank of India, to the founding in 1806 of the Bank of Calcutta, making it the oldest commercial bank in the Indian Subcontinent. Bank of Madras merged into the other two presidency banks—Bank of Calcutta and Bank of Bombay—to form the Imperial Bank of India, which in turn became the State Bank of India. The Government of India nationalised the Imperial Bank of India in 1955 and renamed it the State Bank.

The logo of State Bank of India is a Circle (not a Key hole) and a small man at the centre of the Circle. Circle depicts perfection and the common man being the centre of the bank’s business.

In commemoration of the Bicentennial Year of the State Bank Of India, this 5 rupees coin was issued in 2006 for general circulation and another coin in the denomination of 100 rupees was issued as proof/uncirculated specimen.

Click here to know more about SBI.

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50 Years of ONGC - 2006 

Year: 2006
Metal: Stainless Steel
Weight: 6.03 gm
Diameter: 22.8 mm
Thickness: 2.13 mm

Commemorative issue: 50th Anniversary of the ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation).

Obverse: Ashoka Pillar Lion Capitol and the denomination below it.

Reverse: ONGC logo between sprays.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is an Indian multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Dehradun, India. It is one of the largest Asia-based oil and gas exploration and production companies, and produces around 77% of India's crude oil (equivalent to around 30% of the country's total demand) and around 81% of its natural gas. It is one of the largest publicly traded companies by market capitalization in India.ONGC was founded on 14 August 1956 by the Indian state. It is involved in exploring for and exploiting hydrocarbons in 26 sedimentary basins of India, and owns and operates over 11,000 kilometers of pipelines in the country. Its international subsidiary ONGC Videsh currently has projects in 15 countries like Norway, Spain, Kazakhstan etc.

In commemoration of Golden Jubilee of O.N.G.C., this 5 rupees coin was issued in 2006 for general circulation and another coin of 50 rupees was issued as proof/uncirculated specimen.

Click here to know more about ONGC.

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150th Birthday Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak - 2007 

Year: 2007
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 9.5 g
Diameter: 23 mm
Shape: Round

Commemorative issue: 150th Anniversary Birth of L. B. G. Tilak

Obverse: Asoka Lion pedestal and the denomination below it.

Reverse: Bust of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

When this coin was released first, it was having an error. The name was written as per the Hindi honorific style i.e. 150th Birth Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilakji. Later it was corrected to usual name i.e. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the coins with error were withdrawn. Hence it is also one of the rarest coins of India.

Apart from this, the Rs. 5 coin was released in Stainless Steel as well along with Copper-Nickel. However the quantity was very less. Hence this stainless steel coin also rare to find.

I have both SS and Cu-Ni coins in my collection.

India post have released a commemorative stamp as well to remember Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920), was an Indian nationalist, journalist, teacher, social reformer, lawyer and an independence activist. He was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities called him "Father of the Indian unrest." He was also conferred with the honorary title of "Lokmanya", which literally means "Accepted by the people as their leader".

Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of "Swaraj" (self-rule) and a strong radical in Indian consciousness. His famous quote, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" is well-remembered in India even today. Due to his political writings, he was imprisoned in the Mandalay Prison, Burma from 1908 to 1914 where he wrote a famous novel 'Gita Rahasya'.Many copies of which were sold, and the money was donated for the freedom fighting.

In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, India issued this 5 rupees commemorative coin for general circulation and 100 rupees as proof/uncirculated specimen.

Click here to know more about Lokmanya Tilak.

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50 Years Khadi And Village Industries Comission - 2007 

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, 'Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956'. It is a non-profit group that serves to promote the use of Khadi (a type of hand-woven cloth) in India. In April 1957, it took over the work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board.  The group is government-run and serves to promote the use of Khadi and small-scale industries. The group also gives licenses to companies that wish to manufacture the Flag of India. Khadi Bhandar chain stores are managed as per the rules and guidelines by this organisation. These stores serve as outlets for products made by village industry. It is not restricted to sell Khadi only. 

In commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, India issued this 5 rupees commemorative coin on 19th November, 2007, for general circulation and  of 50 rupees as proof / uncirculated specimen.

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150 Years Of The First War Of Independence - 2007 

Year: 2007

Metal: Stainless Steel

Weight: 6 g

Diameter: 23 mm

Shape: Round

Commemorative issue: First War of Independence, 150th Anniversary.

Obverse: Asoka Lion capitol and the denomination below it.

Reverse: Heroes of the War of Independence, Rani of Jhansi in center, General Tatya Tope at left and Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II at right.

India post also released some stamps commemorating the war in 2008 and heros of this war in 1988.

India's First War of Independence, is also known as “The Indian Rebellion of 1857” began on 10 May 1857 in the town of Meerut when a group of native soldiers employed by the British East India Company's army, mutinied.

The general public were dissatisfied due to abolition of sati rites and the legalization of widow remarriage. Lakshmibai, The Rani of Jhansi, and some rulers of other kingdoms had lost their kingdom as a result of the “Doctrine of Lapse” and were very much dissatisfied. The sepoys were supplied with new cartridges, which allegedly were wrapped in paper greased with cow and pig fat and had to be bitten off by mouth. So they also became dissatisfied. These things led to the Rebellion.

Gradually the rebellion spread to other parts of central and northern India. The rebels captured cities like Meerut, Kanpur, Lukhnow, Delhi etc and killed many Europeans. The leaders of this rebellion were Emperor Bahadur Shah II, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, General Tatia Tope, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh etc. Bahadur Shah proclaimed himself the Emperor of the whole of India.

Due to the lack of co-ordination between the different rebel groups, the army of the company were able to suppress the rebellion. Many mutineers were hanged to death, and some were "blown from cannon” by the British . Rani Laxmibai bravely fought but died on the battle field.  Tatya Tope was caught and executed. Nana Saheb disappeared near the end of the Rebellion and it is not known what happened to him. Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured  and exiled to Rangoon where he died in 1862.

The rebellion led to the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858, and its ruling powers over India were transferred to the British Crown.

In commemoration of the 150 Years of The First War Of Independence, India issued this Rs. 5 coin on 18th April 2008 for general circulation. and of Rs. 100 as proof/uncirculated specimen.

Click here to know more about 1857 war of Independence.

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Shahid Bhagat Singh Birth Centenary - 2007 

Year: 2007
Metal: Stainless Steel
Weight: 6 gm
Diameter: 23 mm

Shape: Round

Commemorative issue: Birth Centenary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

Obverse: Ashoka Pillar Lion Capitol and the denomination to the right

Reverse: Bust of Shaheed Bhagat Singh facing

Bhagat Singh (28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) was an Indian socialist considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. He is often referred to as "Shaheed Bhagat Singh", the word "Shaheed" meaning "martyr" in a number of Indian languages. Born into a Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj.Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police, Singh was involved in the murder of British police officer John Saunders. he undertook a successful effort to throw two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting slogans of revolution. Subsequently they volunteered to surrender and be arrested. Held on this charge, he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners. He was convicted and subsequently hanged , aged 23.

To commemorate this great martyr, India issues a set of 5 Rs. and 100 Rs. coins. Of these two coins, 5Rs. coin was issues for the general circulation and Rs.100 coins was released in UNC/Proof set.

Click here to know more about Bhagat Singh.

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Saint Alphonsa Birth Centenary - 2009 

Year: 2009
Metal: Nickel-brass
Weight: 6 gm
Diameter: 23 mm

Shape: Round

Commemorative issue: Saint Alphonsa Birth Centenary

Obverse:Asoka lion pedestal, denomination below

Reverse: Bust of Saint Alphonsa facing

Saint Alphonsa

Alphonsa Mutthapadathu was born on August 19, 1910 in village Kudamalloor near Kottayam in Kerala. She had a difficult childhood plagued by poverty and illness. She fell into a pit of burning chaff and both here feet got deformed, leaving her handicapped. In 1936, she was miraculously cured by saint Therese of Lisieux. She taught at a school and there are a large number of miracles associated with her, many of which involved curing children having clubbed feet as she herself had been disabled by her feet for many years. In 1939 she had an attack of double-pnuemonia which left her weakened and she died in 1946 after a painful illness. In 1985, Pope John Paul II formally approved a miracle that was attributed to her and she received the title of Venerable Sister Alphonsa. One year later, she was beatified. Pope Benedict XVI authorized her canonization in 2008. Alphonsa became the first woman and only the second saint from India after Saint Gonsalo Garcia.

In commemoration of the start of the Birth Centenary celebrations of Saint Alphonsa, India issued this 5 rupees commemorative coin on 23rd August, 2009, for general circulation.

Click here to know more about Saint Alphonsa.

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