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‘Coin collection is the most popular of all hobbies’

Numismatist Basti Solanki speaks about his love of coins and why it makes for a great hobby.

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Owner of rare coins and collector of coins from ancient India to the Mughal era, Basti Solanki, is also the founder of the International Collectors’ Society of Rare Items, Pune. Chairman of the exhibition committee of Coinex-Pune 2011, 53-year-old Solanki spoke with Kiran Dahitule about the nuances of coin collection and the much-awaited numismatics exhibition that is scheduled from December 9 to 11.

What attracts you to coin collection?
Coin collection is the most popular of all collecting hobbies. As compared to stamps or old items, coins are the most durable in terms of physical endurance. As the coins grow older, they become rarer. Besides, their value keeps rising, as they are made of metals; while stamps may fade away or lose their value with passage of time.

Which are the rarest and oldest coins displayed at the exhibition?
This exhibition is special, as we will display punch-mark coins dating back to the 6th century. The oldest coins were discovered in Ephesus, in the Hellenistic city of Asia Minor.

The pieces of lava that came out from volcanoes were also used as coins. We also have the oldest currency notes made in China in the 7th century. The world’s heaviest coin that weighs 150 kg is not on display at the exhibition. The world’s largest bank note made in 1368 is 23x33 cm and the smallest is 2.2x3.8 cm, a Romanian note made in 1917.

What happens at auctions?
Auction is the best place to meet all numismatists. Most of them come here to find the missing pieces of their collection. There are bids and wars of bids in the auction room. This is the 29th auction, where people would bid the highest for the Pantpradhan Ganpati coin, a Maratha era coin, and Nisare, a coin from Shahjahan’s era, both starting at Rs1.5 lakh.

How can people with a desire for this hobby begin?
To start with, children should look for coins at home. Most families still have some old coins such as the Indian paisa. Collecting the old ones, such as 2, 5, 10 or 20 paisa coins, can be a good start.
There are variations in making of these coins every year, which if looked carefully, can be of interest to children. There are books available on the topic, which can give a good insight on collections. Once children start earning, they can think of buying coins and expand their collection.

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