During the World Wars, the British housed their prisoners of wars (PoWs) in India. Many camps were set up across the country, including in Bengaluru, for this purpose.
One unique thing about these camps was that the PoWs were given coupons to facilitate monetary transactions, as regular currency could easily lend itself to forgery.
Italian prisoners
In Bengaluru, eight such camps were set up during World War II and Italian prisoners were housed here. Now, Bengaluru has a chance to see a few of these coupons, which will be put on public display as part of the 8th National Numismatic Exhibition, conducted by Marudhar Arts. The exhibition will be held from February 24 to 26.
“These coupons were issued in denomination of 1 Anna, 2 Annas, 4 Annas, 8 Annas up to Rs. 10. Though we have had these coupons in our collection for a long time, we are putting it out on display during the exhibition-cum-auction for the first time,” said Archie Maru, director, Marudhar Arts.
Of the coupons that would be on display, one of them carries the signature of a prisoner along with the camp he was lodged in and his number. It reads: PoW N: 31190, 8th Camp, India, Bangalore, Mysore State.
Apart from this, other must sees at the exhibition will be Travancore coins and collection of items belonging to Mahatma Gandhi. “We have sourced the khadi charkha used by the Mahatma from a collector,” he added.
Coins to look out for
The exhibition-cum-auction will have some rare coins sought after by any connoisseur.
This includes the silver bentbar from the Gandhara Janapada from 600-500 BC. This coin is know for the iconography.
The highest priced coin in the auction is the Gold Mohur, issued during the reign of Shah Jahan III. The coins are few in number and difficult to acquire.
The collectors will also get a chance to possess rarest of rare coins such as the Silver Rupee, minted and issued by the Rajapur Mint during Aurangzeb’s reign and Tokens from Cocos (Keeling) Islands in Indian Ocean with denomination in rupee.
These coins are unique for their shape and are made out of plastic ivory.
