1971 - Food for All - VIP and Proof Set

This post gives the details of VIP and Proof Set. For UNC Set refer to the Next post.

The Food For All was theme was used for commemorative coins. Originally issued in the year 1970. Only proof sets are available in this year. However the same set was also available in the year 1971 along with circulation coins. One can Distinguish between the 1970 Proof set and the 1971 proof sets by looking at the date on the coins. Its a unique in the sense that only for this series do we have proof sets issued in 2 years.

The following proof sets and UNC were received.
The details are;




Note: There were 2 releases for this issue. One in 1970 and other in 1971. The design is same, the only difference is the date on the coins.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. The FAO was established on 16 October 1945 in Quebec, Canada.
The year 1970 marks the 25th anniversary of the Organisation.

FAO is composed of eight departments: Administration and Finance, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Economic and Social Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, Knowledge and Communication, Natural Resource Management and Technical Cooperation.


VIP Set: 1971 Issue:
Coins of Rs 10 and 20 Paise along with regular coins of 1,2,3,5,10,50 Paise and Rs 1
The Cover is shown below. The coins are same as the Proof Set in Acrylic Case.



Proof Set: 1971 Issue:
Coins of Rs 10 and 20 Paise along with regular coins of 1,2,3,5,10,50 Paise and Rs 1














Proof Set: 1971 Single Coins of Rs 10 
The 1971 coin was also sold individually by mint in a plain paper envelope.

The image below is a coin set that is being sold on eBay US. Although this looks like the envelope was also from Mumbai Mint, it was infact manufactured by "Paramount Rare Coin and Currency". During those days it was easy to export coins in bulk outside India. There is also a PNC with this coin and the 1972 coin. This is the reason why these envelopes are not visible in India but are mostly visible in US.

I would like to thank Shri Ravi Shankar Sharma, a well known Numismatist for pointing this out to me.


Image Credit: Mayank

UNC Set: 
Coins of Rs 10 and 20 Paise
Refer to Next Post






4 comments:

  1. thanks a lot for your insights into this, but does 200-250$ with white envelop seems to be an accurate price? Also I have seen couple of private indian coin catalogues which mentones about these coin covers.. are we pretty sure about this information..

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  2. I just spoke and confirmed with one of my numismatic friend and according to him Paramount issued the certificates for the proof coins and proof sets and the paper envelop along with the plastic capsule were sent from Bombay Mint to United States as FAO program, in-fact from early 1970's many countries participated in the FAO program and minted many special issues for the same.. I have seen 1973/74 proof sets with certificates from Paramount, but still may be the mystery is ON. :)

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  3. and i guess may be this is the reason we can see more of 1970 and 1971 proof sets in US rather than in india..

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  4. Yes Mayank, India actively participated in FAO and there are quite a few 2 Coin Proof set in that period that were only available for export and not for local collectors.
    But like you say mystery continues as to who actually printed the cover. Let me know if you come across some more interesting stuff. Thanks for your inputs.

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