Kumbla Radhakrishna, a Corporation Bank officer here, is the proud owner of a “one-penny model”, said to be a rarity for coin collectors.
The bi-metal coin with the image of Queen Victoria was based on a design suggested by Joseph Moore, who turned down a job offered by the then British Mint. According to BBC website, this coin was made in 1844 to replace the heavy coinage which was then in circulation.
“The inner part was supposed to be in silver to compensate for the low intrinsic copper value but those produced in the greatest numbers had a copper outer ring and an inner part made of approximately 60 per cent zinc and 40 per cent nickel,” the website states.
Mr. Radhakrishna, who works as a coordinator of the Corporation Bank's Library on Kuloor Ferry Road, says this is the first bi-metal coin and the concept was far ahead of his time. The BBC website, however, notes that it was never adopted. Other online sources also say that “nothing came of Moore's idea.”
Mr. Radhakrishna got the one-penny model in exchange for certain coins with another coin-collector, whom he could not name. A possessive Mr. Radhakrishna says he would not exchange it even for Rs. 25,000. He would exchange it only if he gets a coin of matching value.
Founder member of Dakshina Kannada Philatelic and Numismatic Association M.R. Pavanje said the coins that never came in circulation were rare and their value was more than the ones in circulation.
The Mangalore's one-penny model owner also has a lead coin from the Dutch East India Co. The 1779 coin, twice the size of Re 1, weighs at least four times the modern one rupee coin. Oxidation has led to a protective film called patina over the coins which, according to Mr. Radhakrishna, helps in preserving the coins for a long time.
The coins are in their pristine condition, he claims.
Speciality
Mr. Radhakrishna's specialty, however, is collection of mistake coins. For example, one of his collections comes with Telugu words “ Idi kampanivaru vesina Idi kampanivaru vesina iruvai kasulu.” The repetition of the first line makes it a “mistake” coin and collectors' favourite.
Mr. Radhakrishna, who started collecting coins as hobby to earn a bit, has 5,000 coins in his kitty. He is not a member of any group of numismatists. Collection of old books is another hobby Mr. Radhakrishna has inculcated.
