An array of coins and currencies, right from the days of yore to present, are on display at a three-day expo on currencies and coins that opened in the city on Friday, even as group of collectors of currency notes launched a Notaphily Society.
Even though the city has several numismatists and a Numismatic Society, this is the first time an exclusive society for collectors of currencies had been launched, said P. Vijayakumar, founder-president of society.
Notaphily is the study and collection of currencies and the society would seek to promote the hobby, which is very useful for research, he said. P. Kumar, MP, declared open the expo.
Collectors, young and old, have displayed their exhibits, offering interesting insights into the history of various countries. Currencies and coins of over 150 countries are said to be on display at the exhibition. The Indian collections include those issued by Bengal, Mumbai, and Madras presidencies, George V and George VI and the Reserve Bank of India.
Special currencies, those with fancy numbers and freak currencies throw up interesting nuggets of information. The special currencies include an Indonesian Rupiah with a picture of Lord Ganesha, Disney World currencies, gold embossed currency from Belize, odd denominations from Burma, Japanese currency issued during the Second World War and colourful currencies of Suriname, says S. Ganapathi Subramanian, a collector and former president of the Numismatic Society. Mr.Subramanian’s collections also include currencies with fancy numbers and freak notes.
Another young collector Joshua Naveen Sathyaraj has displayed polymer bank notes, while another youth, N.Arun, has presented a display of 33 out of the 36 series of Rs.2 currency notes issued by the Reserve Bank of India. C.Gunasekaran, another collector, has presented various art works made of coins in his display of Indian coins.
Mr.Vijayakumar, who had taken to the hobby only a couple of years back, said the Notaphily Society has 50 members and 30 of them have displayed their collections in 60 frames. Mr.Vijayakumar’s own exhibits include a one hundred trillion dollar currency note of Zimbabwe.
Dealers of coins, currencies and antiques have also put up stalls at the expo, which would be open till Sunday at Hotel Archana near Chathram Bus Stand.
