Unity In Diversity: 2004-2007

During the period 2004 - 2007 the RBI introduced coins on the theme “UNITY IN DIVERSITY”. The 1 rupee and the 5 rupees coins show a “plus" symbol with four dots on each side. The 2 rupees and the 10 rupees coins show a “double plus" symbol with four dots on each side.

The 1 rupee coin was minted in the years 2004, 2005, and 2006.

1 Rupee | Stainless Steel | 4.85 gm

The 2 rupees coin was minted in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

                                          2 Rupees | Stainless Steel | 5.8 gm

The 5 rupees coin was minted in 2007. This coin is very scare in circulation and is very expensive [ around thousands of rupees]. I do not have this coin in my collection.

                                               5 Rupees | Stainless Steel | 6 gm

The 10 rupees coin was minted in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

10 Rupees | Bimetal | 7.71 gm

Metal composition - Bi-metallic
Outer ring: Aluminium Bronze (Copper – 90%, Aluminium – 6%, Nickel – 2%)
Central piece: Cupro – Nickel (Copper – 75%, Nickel – 25%)

Reverse of the coin contains the visuals showing stylised representation of 'Unity in Diversity', a defining characteristic of our country.  The symbol shall be seen as four heads sharing a common body.  It shall be thought of as people from all four parts of the country coming together under one banner and identifying with one nation.  The visual code helps the user connect the visual with an individual denomination, which makes the process of identification quicker.


Controversy over 2 Rupee coin:

The two-rupee coin issued from 2006 by the Reserve Bank, in stark contrast to the earlier coin, is rounded and simpler in design, without the map of India. The coin has already been criticized for being difficult to recognize by the visually impaired. Most controversially, it features an equal-armed cross with the beams divided into two rays and with dots between adjacent beams. According to RBI, this design represents "four heads sharing a common body" under a new "unity in diversity" theme. However, Hindu nationalists have charged that the symbol is a Christian cross resembling the symbol on the deniers issued by Louis the Pious. 

Hence there was a massive public protest against the issue of these Christian Cross Coins, RBI stopped the mintage of this design on coins from 2007.

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