Unauthorized Rupee Coin Worth One Lakh Goes Viral, Not Endorsed by the Indian Government
The Government of India, under the Ministry of Finance, produced an official commemorative coin in 2023 to honour Raja Ram Mohan Roy on his 250th birth anniversary. The Mumbai Mint was responsible for minting this coin, which had a face value of 250 rupees.
Recently, a viral video emerged showing a coin with a denomination of one lakh rupees, allegedly honouring the same reformer. However, it is essential to clarify that the Indian government has not issued a one-lakh rupee coin.
The coin in the viral video bears an image of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and text referencing his 250th birth anniversary. Yet, it is essential to note that this coin is not an official coin issued by the Indian government. Instead, such items are essentially novelty collectibles produced by private entities.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has no record of a one-lakh rupee coin being issued, and historical records of Indian coinage do not contain evidence of such a coin. Special commemorative coins are produced in limited quantities primarily for collectors and not intended for regular circulation. These coins are classified as "Non-Circulating Legal Tender."
Private entities often produce unofficial memorabilia such as commemorative tokens or gold-plated replicas. While these items can be attractive, it is crucial to remember that they lack any government or RBI endorsement and are not legal currency.
Caution is advised when purchasing rare/old coins or notes online, as these markets are known to be rife with scams. FACTLY has previously covered how such scams operate in detailed articles and videos.
In conclusion, the claim that the viral video shows a genuine one-lakh rupee coin issued by the Indian government is false. The official commemorative coin released in honor of Raja Ram Mohan Roy had a denomination of ₹250, not ₹1,00,000. Always verify the authenticity of any collectible before making a purchase.
