Definitive Coins - Two Rupees - Part 1

This post is organized in 2 parts. The first part details about the Cupro-Nickel issues. The next post about the other definitive issues.

In 1982, the Rs 2 was first introduced as circulation commemorative with 2 themes, National Integration and IX Asian Games. The Design used for National Integration was introduced as Definitive design in the year 1990. This is the only instance where a design for commemorative was made into a definitive issue. At 28 mm, the coins were slightly larger than the Rs 1 coins of the period which were at 26 mm.

Die Varieties: 1990 Kolkata Mint also comes with milled edge
Note: In 1982, the Rs 2 was first introduced as circulation commemorative with 2 themes, National Integration and IX Asian Games. The Design used for National Integration was introduced as Definitive design in the year 1990.

Shortly after introducing the Rs 2 coin, there was a change in the shape. From Circular the coins were changed to 11 sided [Hen-decagon]. The size reduced to 26 mm around the same size of the Rs 1 Cu-Ni coins. Of-course the Rs 1 coins themselves went steel from 1994 with size of 25 mm.

Over a period of 12 years these coins remained same, however this particular issue has quite a few Lion Varieties. The study is very interesting for someone who is into Die Varieties. As the Rs 2 definitive was taken from the Commemorative Design, it meant that the Obverse had both the Value and Ashoka Emblem. Hence the Commemoratives issued during this period in the Rs 2 denomination shared the Obverse die with the Definitives, unlike the other denominations where there is a different Obverse die for Commemoratives and Definitives. The only other exception being the Rs 5 of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Hence the commemoratives of these period also show up quite a few Die Varieties

In the definitive’s we have 4 distinct Die Varieties used across the years from 1992 to 2004, in some cases certain mints for certain years have used up to 3 dies.

At a glance identifying the Type A, B, C or D Lion.
It's an easy way to distinguish. One has to first determine if its Type A/B Vs Type C/D. This can be done by looking at the Left Top side of Lion Fur. In Type A/B, the Fur curves away from the body. In the Type C/D it curves towards the body. Having determined the basic type, it now easier to further determine the sub-type. See the illustration below;

1999 Hyderabad Mint all 5 Mint Mark Varieties. Credits Vaikunta Chary R

Year	Description	Mint	KM No
1990		M	121.2
1990		C	121.2
1990	Plain Edge	C	121.2
1990	Milled Edge	C
1990		H	121.2
1990	Milled Edge	H	121.2
1992	Type A Lion	M	121.3
1992	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1992	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1992	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1992	Type B Lion	N	Not Listed
1993	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1993	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1993	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1994	Type A Lion	M	121.3
1994	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1994	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1994	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1994	Type B Lion	H	121.4
1994	Type A Lion	N	Not Listed
1994	Type B Lion	N	121.4
1995	Type A Lion	M	121.3
1995	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1995	Type C Lion	M	121.5
1995	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1995	Type B Lion	C	Not Listed
1995	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1995	Type B Lion	H	121.4
1995	Type B Lion	N	121.4
1996	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1996	Type C Lion	M	121.5
1996	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1996	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1996	Type B Lion	H	Not Listed
1996	Type C Lion	H	121.5
1996	Type B Lion	N	121.4
1997	Type B Lion	M	121.4
1997	Type C Lion	M	121.5
1997	Type D Lion	M	Not Listed
1997	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1997	Type A Lion	H	121.3
1997	Type C Lion	H	121.5
1997	Type C Lion	Taegu	121.5
1998	Type B Lion	M	Not Listed
1998	Type C Lion	M	121.5
1998	Type D Lion	M	121.6
1998	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1998	Type C Lion	C	121.5
1998	Type D Lion	C	Verify
1998	Type C Lion	H	121.5
1998	Type D Lion	H	121.6
1998	Type B Lion	N	Not Listed
1998	Type C Lion	N	121.5
1998	Type C Lion	Taegu	121.5
1998	Type C Lion	Pretoria	121.5
1999	Type C Lion	M	121.5
1999	Type D Lion	M	121.6
1999	Type A Lion	C	121.3
1999	Type C Lion	C	121.5
1999	Type D Lion	C	Not Listed
1999	Type C Lion	H	121.5
1999	Mint Mark very close to date	H	121.5
1999	Mint Mark between 1&9	H	121.5
1999	Mint Mark Below 3rd Digit	H	Not Listed
1999	Mint Mark	H	Not Listed
1999	Round Edge	H	121.5
1999	Type B Lion	N	121.4
1999	Type C Lion	N	Not Listed
1999	Type C Lion	Dominican-Republic	121.5
2000	Type C Lion	M	121.5
2000	Type D Lion	M	121.6
2000	Type A Lion	C	121.3
2000	Type C Lion	H	121.5
2000	Type C Lion	N	121.5
2000	Type A Lion	Moscow	121.3
2000	Type C Lion	Moscow	121.5
2001	Type A Lion	M	121.3
2001	Type C Lion	M	121.5
2001	Type D Lion	M	Not Listed
2001	Type A Lion	C	121.3
2001	Type C Lion	C	121.5
2001	Type C Lion	H	121.5
2001	Type C Lion	N	121.5
2002	Type C Lion	M	121.5
2002	Type A Lion	C	121.3
2002	Type C Lion	C	121.5
2002	Type C Lion	H	121.5
2002	Type C Lion	N	121.5
2003	Type C Lion	M	121.5
2003	Type A Lion	C	121.3
2003	Type C Lion	C	121.5
2003	Type A Lion	H	121.3
2003	Type C Lion	H	121.5
2003	Type C Lion	H	Not Listed
2003	Type C Lion	N	121.5
2004	Type C Lion	M	121.5
2004	Type C Lion	C	121.5
2004	Type C Lion	H	121.5