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









12 comments:

  1. Plz elaborate on the differences between the Type A,B,C & D lions of 2 rupee coins.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I got very useful information on this blog for both coins & notes. thank you & keep improving........

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please add 1997B "D"-Lion to the list and also change the "D"-Lion period from 1997-2004 instead of 1998.......Regards.......Alex

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the comment. Let me see if I can find 1997B in D-Type Lion. The D-Type lion were last used in 2000. After that only Type C was used to my knowledge. Can you let me know which years the Type D was used after 2000.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi,
    It was used in 2001 Bombay mint also I can give you a list which is not in the blog i.e apart from 1997 Bombay there are 1998 type D in Calcutta,1998 type B in Noida,1999 type D in Calcutta and 2001 type D in Bombay ..... Alex

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi,
    Also I came across a 1992 Noida mint with type A lion in Rs 2 and I am sure it is not any other mint but Noida

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Alex,
    Thanks for the comment. 1998 type B in Noida,1999 type D in Calcutta and 2001 type D in Bombay Agree, they are missing and would update in next round.

    Was not aware of 1998 Type D in Calcutta. Will include.

    Looks like more coins to add to my collection :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have never seen "1992 Noida mint" can you send me the image if possible at indiacoinadvisor@yahoo.com
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  9. sir you say that the Rs.2 2004 coins are available in plenty but they are never found in circulation

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe distribution issue. Some locations may not see it.

      Delete
  10. Have you seen 2000 Moscow "A" Lion ever ? Because I would like to see it which I have never come across.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Is there any lion variety of foreign mint in the year of 1997/1998

    ReplyDelete