Printer’s devil is this Surti’s friend

Normally, if one gets a misprinted coin or currency note, one would immediately try to replace it or manage to use it in a transaction. However, for Ramesh Valvanvala, 73, such items are a treasure worth preserving. He has been amassing them for over two decades. 

Collecting misprinted notes and coins has always been a passion for Valvanvala, a resident of Balabhai Street in Salabatpura, Surat. Even at this age he collects such items which have major or minor  defects and cannot be used.

At present, his collection features over 11,000 notes and 2,000 coins of different denominations.  “Once, I got a Rs100 note in 1985 with a different colour combination on both sides. Even though it was not in proper condition, I decided to keep it as a memento. This inspired me to collect notes which have any kind of defect,” said Valvanvala, a postal agent by profession.

According to him, the most unique note collected by him is a Rs100 note bearing the serial number 000000. He was reportedly offered Rs1 lakh for the note, but he refused to sell it.  Apart from currency notes, he also collects defective coins — those  which are broken, improperly crafted or don't have a clear print. He has coins of denominations Rs1, 2 and 5, which would not be accepted by your local vegetable vendor.

Valvanvala wants to pass his collection on to his sons. “My father has worked very hard to get these currency notes and coins. He wants to keep the collection at a place where people can see it. We are planning to set up a small museum in the near future,” Rajesh, his elder son said.