Pakistan Ki Kahani Sikkon Ki Zubani in Lahore Museum

Lahore: To mark the 73rd anniversary of the Resolution Day of Pakistan, Lahore Museum has held an exhibition of coins titled as “Pakistan Ki Kahani Sikkon Ki Zubani” in the Miniature Paintings Hall of Lahore Museum that is inaugurated by Ms. Sumaira Samad, Director Lahore Museum on Thursday March 21, 2013. The exhibition will remain open to the general public till March 31, 2013 from 9-00 am to 4:00 pm. This exhibition is sponsored by Pakistan Cultural Heritage Caravan Society.

The main objective of the exhibition is to provide the public with the opportunity to witness the rare historical coins ranging from 17th century to 1947 interpreting the monetary system throughout the period.

Coins came into existence between 6th and 5th Century BC in Asia Minor, Iran and India. Coins were a non-perishable and transportable wealth in shape of ready-weighed pieces of gold, silver and copper / bronze stamped with King’s assurance of its value. . They provide a sequence of miniature pages or pictures of history accurately.

For thousands of years, the area of subcontinent also served as a trading cross-routes between the then West, the Middle-East and the rest of the civilized world i.e. Asia.

The earlier coins were then followed by a long period of Islamic coins of Ghaznavids, Ghoris & Slaves, Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Lodhis, Suris and the Mughals showing exquisite calligraphy; fine die-cutting and prolific issues through a large number of mints. It had ‘Tughra’ in Urdu on the obverse with inscription “Govt. of Pakistan” in English.

At the time of independence, Pakistan did not have its own coinage. It was agreed that the banknotes and currency that was in circulation before partition will be circulation till Pakistan Government issues its own coinage.

In 1953, new coins of one anna, half anna & one paisa were introduced on which the tughra, crescent and star were combined, value inscribed within a wreath or between two corn ears.

DECIMAL COINS

In 1961, the Government of Pakistan decided to adopt the decimal system for its coinage. The rupee was divided into hundred paisas. New coins of one paisa, five paisa, & ten paisa were minted with the same devices and style. The main unit of one paisa was circular piece. In May 1964, two new coins, of one and two paisa were issued with the same design and arrangement. The one paisa coin became slightly bigger while the two paisa coin had the fluted corners.

CURRENT COINS

The current coins consist of 1 rupee Muhammad Ali Jinnah coin, the second coin is of 2 rupee first issued in 1998. The 2 rupee coins were initially issued with the mosque on the reverse having no clouds. Later, three clouds were added in 1999, and the same design is being followed now. In December 2002, 5 rupee coin was issued. Latest in series are new aluminum coins of 1 rupee and 2 rupee and 2 rupees issued in 2008.