Karnataka   

It’s not just a hobby for him

Passionate: R.S. Venkatesh displaying his collection of coins.

Chitradurga: Finding people who collect old coins and currency notes may not be a difficult task, and 57-year-old R.S. Venkatesh is one of the few people with a collection that includes rare coins and notes.

For this goldsmith, collecting coins, currency notes, stamps and antiques is not merely a hobby but a passion that he has cherished for over 35 years.

He has a collection of over 300 currency notes, including some “unusual” ones. They include several notes with printing mistakes. While some of them do not have serial numbers, some are printed only on one side. He even has notes exceeding the usual size. Mr. Venkatesh also has Rs. 5 notes bearing serial numbers from 000101 to 000999 and Rs. 10 notes bearing numbers from 000111 to 000999.

Other unique notes include Rs. 10 notes of 1925 and a golden $100 note printed during the British rule.

Mr. Venkatesh also has a collection of over 2,000 coins. One of the coins resembles a hairpin belonging to Adil Shah of Bijapur, which has the date 1543-1563.

Mr. Venkatesh said, “Since I am a member of the Numismatic Association of Karnataka, I get various notes and coins. Being a goldsmith, I also get coins through several customers.”

He claims he has a gold coin from 800 BC, which has an inscription of Lord Ram. “I got this coin from my grandfather when I was 11,” he said. Mr. Venkatesh has also collected thousands of stamps. He also possesses numerous stamp papers of the British period.

He refers to a book on coins when he wants to check the authenticity of coins he gets from his customers. “Moreover, being a goldsmith I can tell a fake coin from a genuine coin with one look,” he said.

Mr. Venkatesh said that though he began collecting coins and notes as a hobby, he now feels that his collection should be exhibited.

He is planning to set up a museum and has written a letter to the Department of Archaeology and Museums for permission. “The present generation has not seen the coins used by our forefathers. I want them to see the different types of coins and notes through the exhibits at this museum.”

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