If you like seeing ancient coins and understand history through coins, the Numismatics and Notaphily Museum, a part of the Corporation Bank Heritage Museum in the heart of Udupi, is the place for you.
Nearly 1,800 coins from 400 B.C. to the present times are on display at Corporation Bank. Coins in materials such as gold, silver, copper, lead, nickel and steel are on display. There is explanation in English besides all the coins. “We will soon provide explanation of coins in Kannada on each exhibit stand,” said M.K. Krishnayya, curator of the museum.
The oldest coins at the museum date back to Gandhara Janapada (400 B.C.–350 B.C.). Coins from a variety of eras and kingdoms from Surasena Janapada (350 BC to 2 AD) to Tippu Sultan can be foundA separate section displays coins issued by East India Company, French, Dutch, Portuguese and British Indian Government as well as the post Independence period, including the “Anna” series of coins, Naya Paisa and Paisa systems can be found here. There is a commemorative coins section, where coins of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 100, Rs. 50, and Rs. 20 denomination are on display.
There is a section which deals with currency notes issued since the Independence alongside a brief history of the Governors of Reserve Bank of India.
Mr. Krishnayya said: “I am trying to construct a story of banking development in the country through stamps and postal stationary such as stamps, cards, inland letters, which will be displayed in the museum.”
The museum is located in the Founder’s Branch complex of Corporation Bank on Mosque Road and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
