10 Rupees Commemorative Coin - Part 1 - Silver Coins

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This Post is Organized in 2 parts.
Part 1: Silver Coins

Part 2: Bi-Metallic Coins

The first Rs 10 commemorative coin for general circulation was in the year 1969 on the occasion of Birth Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, after this there were 2 more issues in Silver in general circulation. The 1969 Silver achieves the distinction of being the first coin in silver post independence. These are the only 3 Silver coins in the Republic India coinage that were in general circulation. Post the Silver coins were only in Proof Sets and UNC Sets. In the year 2005 the denomination was issued as definitive coins in Bi-Metallic. Subsequently the coins were also issued in commemorative.

The Coins of 1969 and 1970 were made of 80% Silver, from 1972 the metal was changed to Quaternary alloy with 50% Silver.

1969 Mahatma Gandhi Centenary

The 10 Rupees, 1969 Mahatma Gandhi Centenary, showing the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.  The mint details and Description are;

Although the Bombay [Mumbai] Mint had earlier released a commemorative in 1964 on Jawharlal Nehru, this was the first time a coin in Silver was struck after Independence. Its also for the first time the Mint used a different mint mark than “Diamond” that it uses for circulation strikes. It used “B” to indicate proof strike. Later when the name changed to Mumbai, it changed the proof mint mark to “M”.
Amongst the few coins in Indian coinage where the mint mark is on Obverse rather than Reverse.


Mints: Mumbai, Kolkata
Reverse:
Bust of Mahatma Gandhi
Dated 1969 – 1948
Legend Mahatma Gandhi in English and Hindi

1970 Food For All

The 10 Rupees, 1970 Food For All, depicts Sun Above, Lotus below and wheat ears on either sides. This was issued on the 25th anniversary of the Food & Agriculture organization of United Nations. The mint details and Description are;

This is amongst the rare coins of Rs 10 Denomination, the Kolkata Mint coin is most rare amongst all the 6 silver coins.

Mints: Mumbai, Kolkata
Reverse:
Sun Above, Lotus flower below, Wheat ears on either side
Date 1970 Below Lotus. Mint mark below date.
Legend Food for All

Die Variety:
The Mumbai Mint coin in Proof and UNC set had a slightly different die. There were wavers in the Year as well. In the Circulation Strikes these waves are not present in the Year. The same is also applicable to the 20 paise coin struck.

1972 Independence Jubilee

The 10 Rupees, 1972 Independence Jubilee, depicts a Person holding a Flag. This was the 3rd and last of the Silver Coins issued for general circulation. Post this the Rs 10 denomination was only available in Proof and UNC Set. The mint details and Description are;

Among the few coin that has the legend only in Hindi.

Mint: Bombay, Calcutta
Reverse:
Person Holding a Flag
Date 1947 – 1972 on left side
Legend 25th Independence Anniversary in Hindi