20th Mudra Utsav to be held in Ballygunge from December 22

Kolkata: The Numismatic Society of Calcutta (NSC) -the apex body of numismatists in the state, is all set to organise the 20th annual conference and exhibition of coins titled Mudra Utsav, with a special emphasis on awareness of counterfeit coins and notes. The three-day event will be held from December 22 to 24 at a banquet hall of a leading confectionary chain in Ballygunge.

"We have been observing with great concern that a good number of forged coins and similar objects are being sold in the market and also on some sites. People are being enticed to purchase these coins with the forgers cashing in on the common people's religious sentiments and absurd dates on some coins. We intend to campaign against these wicked vendors and also urge necessary action by the competent authority," said Ravi Shankar Sharma, secretary of NSC.

According to Sharma, another major attraction of the event will be the exhibition of coins, entitled "Panorama of Indian Coinage: its genesis to present". Visitors will enjoy the metamorphosis of Indian coins from the archaic period (i.e. 500 B.C) to the present republic coins of the country.

"The country is passing through a much-debated topic of 'De-monetarism of currency system'. In view of the above, we will organise a session in the seminar, focusing on a topic entitled 'De-monetarism of currency system during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq – Its effect and result," Sharma added.

Interestingly, the annual event could not be organised last year. The NSC had planned to hold the exhibition in a big way to mark its 20th year in 2016 but were compelled to postpone it with dealers, auctioneers and participants backing out, apprehending lukewarm response from people in the wake of cash crunch.

Numismatics has become a widespread hobby for school and college students. In past, the society had organised exhibitions of coins in various schools and colleges, both within and outside the state. The response to such exhibitions was so encouraging that to give impetus for collecting coins, the society this year has decided to distribute free gifts to the schoolchildren who attend the exhibition. It will remain open to visitors from 11 am to 6 pm and there is no entry fee for the viewers.