Shrinking One Rupee Coin : Blame it on US

* While saying "Blame it on US" I never mean to Blame it on United States. I mean "US" only "the we Indians".

While starting my hobby of collecting coins I never thought that It will be ever helpful for me to understand the economy and its different perspectives. Today every where there is a big noise about the devaluation of Rupee in comparison to Dollar(US). Today, One US Dollar has crossed the value more than 64 Rupees and this has been the biggest news and a reason for all shouts and noises among different political galleries.

A comparison is being carried away that in 1947 One Dollar(US) was equivalent to One Rupee, and so, there is a great devaluation in Rupee is being calculated and discussed. It is surprising to the best extent that nobody is concerned to calculate the devaluation of Indian Rupee with itself. 

I mean to say that had we been ever concerned about the changing shapes, sizes and metals of Indian one Rupee coin? Here, I am trying to put on light on the issue with the help of following pictures of different one Rupee coins which itself depicts the story of its devaluation.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 1945

This was perhaps last Coin in circulation in India which was made of Silver as a main metal used. Then after independence there came Cupro Nickel Coins. The metal was cheaper and the size was also smaller.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 1947

It was quite popular and circulated for a longer time. Then another coin came in vogue which was made  with the Nikel and it was much thinner than this. So, a practice of cost cutting in the manufacturing of coins introduced.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 1979

This coin also ruled for a longer time and was substituted with its smaller and thinner version in a new shape, size and looks as well.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 1985

This coin was also in existence for a pretty long time but, all of a sudden we experienced a gradual scarcity of all these coins talked earlier. Since, they were being used now for making some artificial jewelry and blades or many other materials like these. As the metal used in these coins had much better value than the currency value of the same. And, then came an era of coins made of Ferratic Stainless Steel which was even smaller and thinner of its earlier version.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 2000

Hope, by now I am able to explain the gradual devaluation of Indian One Rupee Coin. I have shown all pictures of Coins from my own collection to make it clear and to show that how the quality of these Coins have gone deteriorated that these new generation Coins are getting eroded in quite shorter period of time. This was the time when in my opinion there must had been an attention and a question about the devaluation of the same by media and other responsible authorities. But, to the worst of my surprise none had dared or thought to raise a voice against it. 

Now, we are here to witness, perhaps last edition of the One Rupee Coin in India which has came before us in its smallest shape. I am afraid now that the metallic cost of One Rupee Coin will become more than its currency value and our government will be forced to withdraw it from the circulation.

Indian One Rupee Coin - 2002

My fearful doubt is getting more worse while remembering the fate of other smaller value Coins in India. All these Coins have lost their existence while travelling the same journey. 

Till now all such changes were accepted quite normally or with a sense which is prevailed in common Indian mind according to "Bhagwadgita" whatever happens it happens for a good reason.

But, is this a change to be solicited so normally as they are being solicited till now? 

Is this not an appropriate time to blow a whistle about the apprehended fear regarding One Rupee Coin being on the verge of getting extinct in recent future?

To make it more clear and understandable let me show two pictures of Quarter Dollar of United States of America. 

Quarter Dollar of United States - 1969

The Coin shown above is made of Cupric Nikel and was issued in year 1969. And, below is the Coin which was issued in year 1990. Both Coins are made of same metal and the shape and size is also quite similar.

Quarter Dollar of United States - 1990

There is  a gap of 21 years between these two coins and there is no change at all between these two coins so far till now also the same coin is in circulation in United States.

Now, the question is what has happened to Quarter Rupee Coin of India? I am talking about 25 Paise Coin or 4 Anna Coin. Is Anyone there who remembers when they had used this coin last time? I am sure it is about more than 10 years when we stopped circulating it.

Then, is this not a genuine apprehension that perhaps, we are on the verge of making our own One Rupee Coin, the smallest and the basic unit of Indian Economy as an extinct materiel?

The most depressing fact is that all this deterioration has taken place quite rapidly in recent 10 years when the rein of the nation is in the hands of a noted and learned economist Mr. Manmohan Singh. 

I am not at all an economist and have a very poor knowledge of it as well but, what I have learned from the collection of my coins that right now it is not an only matter to be worried that how costlier the Dollar is getting now but it is equally or somehow more serious matter to be worried that are we going to witness such situation when the single Basic Unit of Indian Economy, the One Rupee Coin will not survive any more?

I wish it may be a pseudo apprehension of mine only and we'll be able to say "All Is Well".  

But, unfortunately in the shadow of endless scams and irresponsible governance the ray of hope seems to be covered in the mist.