The systematic collection and study of coins, tokens, paper money, and other things with a comparable form and function is known as coin collecting or numismatics. One of the world’s oldest pastimes is coin collecting. With the exception of China and Japan, paper money has only recently (since the 18th century) become widely used. As a result, while paper money and other types of notes are collectible, their history is different from that of collecting coins and is mostly modern in nature.
Around the fourteenth century, coin collection and admiration became popular. It became popular among some members of the wealthy classes during the Renaissance, particularly monarchs and queens. The first and most well-known enthusiast of the activity is thought to have been the Italian scholar and poet Petrarch.
While there are many who collect coins and currency notes, Narendra Solanki, who lives in Rajkot, is fond of collecting local and foreign coins, old and new. He has been collecting various coins and currency notes since last 40 years. From his collection, he had exhibited historical currency coins and notes at Shri Kanta Stree Vikas Griha, Rajkot on July 24. This exhibition was passionately viewed by the school girls.
Here at this exhibition, the coins and currency notes of more than 220 countries were put on display. Coins from Mauryan period, Chandragupta II period to Mughal period, Sultanate period, Portuguese Raj period coins, British India coins from 1835 to 1947 and coins from 1947 to present time were kept on display. “I have been collecting these coins for more than 40 years. I get these currency coins and notes from foreigners coming to India and people visiting abroad,” says Solanki. Students were fascinated to see the collection.
He has also prepared a unique frame of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I have used 195 country coins and 72 coins with the photo of Prime Minister as he is 72 years old,” informs Solanki. He still continues to gather as many currency as he can.
