5 Rupees - Circulation Commemoratives - Part 1 - Cupro-Nickel Big Coins

The Link to All Artices is here

The Link to All Commemoratives is here

This is part of Commemorative Coins of Denomination 6;
Lion Varieties in Rs 5
Part 1 - Cupro Nickel Big Coins
Part 2 - Cupro Nickel Small Coins
Part 3 - Cupro Nickel and Stainless Steel
Part 4 - Nickel Brass
Part 5 - Nickel Brass with Rupee Symbol
Part 6 - Nickel Brass with Rupee Symbol Continued


This is the first of the posts on Rs 5 Circulation Commemorative. The Rs 5 coins was introduced in the year 1984 with Indira Gandhi theme as a commemorative and also available for general circulation. Later a coin was also minted in 1989 on Nehru's Centenary. Subsequently it was minted for quite a few themes however the coins were not for general circulation and only available in Proof / UNC Sets. Beginning 1994 the rupees 5 denomination was available as a definitive as well as various circulation commemorative.

Over the period of time has undergone quite a bit of change in metal, size and weight. The Rs 5 is also the denomination in which maximum number of commemorative themes are available.

1984 Homage to Indira Gandhi:

The 5 Rupees, 1984 Death of Indira Gandhi, was the first Issue of Rs 5 Coin in circulation. Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India and remains the world's longest serving female Prime Minister. The mint details and Description are;

Mint: Mumbai, Hyderabad
Obverse:
Bust of Indira Gandhi
Date 1971 to 1984 with Mint Mark below the date.
Legend: Indira Gandhi in English on the top right side and in Hindi on the top left side.

Die Variety:
The Hyderabad Mint has die variety. There are differences in the legend lettering and date font.

Edge Variety:

Reeded Edge instead of security edge from both Mumbai and Hyderabad Mint.

1989 Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary

The 5 Rupees, 1989 Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary, depicts the Bust of Jawaharlal Nehru. This is the second time a coin was released on Nehru. The first being in 1964 [on Death of Nehru] that marked the beginning of issuing of commemorative coins in India. The mint details and Description are;

Mint: Mumbai, Hyderabad
Obverse:
Bust of Jawaharlal Nehru
Date 1989 below with Mint Mark below the date.
Legend: Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary on the right side in English and in Hindi on the Left Side.


Die Varieties:
Mumbai Mint

1. Normal Lion with large face Nehru on Reverse – Common

2. Small Lion on Obverse with value 5 relatively small; large face Nehru on Reverse – Scarce

3. Normal Obverse Lion with long teeth border and small face Nehru on Reverse – Scarce

4. UNC/Proof die Obverse Lion with long teeth border and small face Nehru on Reverse – Rare

Edge Varieties:

5. Reeded Edge instead of security edge from Mumbai Mint

6. Reeded Edge instead of security edge from Hyderabad Mint