Kerala   

Chronicling history through stamps and coins

For Jose John Thekkedam, Assistant Professor at Malik Deenar College of Pharmacy, Kasaragod, collecting stamps and coins is more than a mere hobby. It is a way of life for Mr. Jose, who has an eye for rare stamps.

It is then not a surprise that stamps issued during the princely rule in Kerala and coins that were circulated during the time occupy a position of pride in his collection. He has in his collection a stamp that was issued only once - on January 26, 1954 - where the usual watermark of Bharat India is replaced by Republic of India. Mr. Jose took to collecting stamps and coins as a child. He has coins and stamps from ten countries.

Among the rare stamps in his collection are 50 stamps that were circulated in 10 princely States.

Also in the collection are coins of Queen Victoria, George V and George VI. Among the rare coins are the `Ottakalanas' released during the 1944-47 period by the British Government, which were later withdrawn by the Indian Government.

"My collection provides me with a good insight into the life and times of the princely states and the pre-Independence era," avers Mr. Jose.

SUJITH MENON

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