There is a story on every coin. It so happened that Sandeep Tibrewal inherited a coin of yore from his grandmother. The year was 1995 and he was in class five.
It had evoked enough curiosity in him, he wanted more of it. It was also the beginning of a numismatic adventure. Seventeen years later, his search continues, the collection meanwhile has grown into a historic investment.
Sandeep, general manager of a construction firm, is only proud to look back at what he has. "I started collecting coins during my school days in Kolkata. Whenever, I went on trips, particularly out of town with my family, I would make friends with foreigners and get coins and currencies from them. My friends and relatives too have contributed to my collection," he recollects.
"The moment I spotted coins, that were rare and interesting at exhibitions or stalls, I would buy them with my pocket money. I have preserved these till now," says Sandeep. Indeed, his coins and currencies have since been stashed away in albums. That includes 38 types of one-rupee coins, 37 types of five-rupee coins and seven types of 10-rupee coins — all from India.
"Three of the one-rupee coins are dated before 1947. I have 17 types of coins from different countries and varied types of old Indian coins too. Then, there are 40 currency notes from countries like Russia (1910), Qatar, China, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Thailand, Romania, Nepal, Japan, Peru, Argentina, Brazil among others. There are those from Berlin (1910), Nigeria, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Korea, US etc." Not to speak of the old Indian currencies.
A look at these now, and you know they have more than the face value. Rarer they are and more in demand, the prices just escalate. The vintage value clearly is priceless.
"I have a 100-ruble note of the time when the USSR was a single entity, it is very difficult to get hold of such notes now. I also have Rs 10 and Rs five notes with a picture of Mahatma Gandhi on them," he says.
There is essentially a drive behind this kind of perseverance. "I have a passion for money, which has resulted in this hobby of mine," he is candid. Sandeep has also been coordinating with friends and acquaintances in an attempt to take his collection forward. "If I had some coins which are extra, I would exchange them with my friends. That's how my collection started increasing," he says.
A coin has more than what meets the eyes, be the design or the mint mark. It opens up a
window to the past and to different countries. History, in short, is on finger tips.
"Once in ten days, I browse the internet and search for rare coins that are available. I buy some of them from e-bay. Recently, Ialso purchased some from Vizag and Pattaya in Bangkok. I do meet people who have a similar hobby but that is not very often," he informs.
His passion has also been an education in history, geography and economy.
There is perhaps another side to the coin and the collection itself, it is an intellectual exercise. And Sandeep admits to that.
"I am deeply engaged in my hobby and would like to increase the collection. I will only be glad if my kids take it forward later on. Someday, I would like to open a museum for the same," he adds.
What started as a random collection for Sandeep now stands at a serious juncture. The curiosity has definitely been worth every penny. And you can bet on that!