| Postal Stamp Image |
: |
 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
: |
27/12/1980 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
: |
0.35 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
: |
0992 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
: |
INDIA GOVT. MINT BOMBAY |
| Stamp Information |
: |
Gold and silver have been the standards of value and exchange throughout the world for many centuries. In India, Emperor Sher Shah made the Rupee the standard currency within his domain and followed the ratio of exchange of one tola of gold to 15 tolas of silver. His gold mohur and silver rupiya were each of 180 grains in wight. Mints using hand-cut dies became extensive during the Mughal period. The important mints then were at Agra, Lahore, Jaunpur (U.P.), Delhi. Ahmedabad, Murshidabad (W.B.), Patna, Dacca, Varanasi, Sagar and Surat.
According to some reports, the East India Company set up a mint at Bombay in 1671, after the island was transferred from the Crown to the Company in 1668, and the first coin was struck in this mint in 1672. However, the East India Company is reported to have obtaind limited rights of coinage at their own mints from the Mughal emperors in 1717. They set up mints at Bombay (1717), Madras (1742) and Calcutta (1758). Each Presidency had its own gold mohur and silver rupee.
Besides the British, the other European powers in India had also set up their own mints. The Portiguese had a mint in Goa, the Dutch in Pulicat, Nagapattinam, Masulipatnam, Pondichery and Cochin. The Danes had their mint at Thanjavur and the French at Pondichery, Arcot, Murshidabad and Surat.
An Act of the British Parliament passed in 1836 during the reign of King William IV made the coinage uniform and monometallic. The silver standard came into being and silver rupees of various weights and fineness as well as gold mohurs became non-legal tender.
In 1824 land for the present Mint at Bombay was acquired near the Town Hall and the Bombay Castle. The building was designed and constructed by Major John Hawkins of the Bombay Engineers. The Mint started functioning in the new premises in 1930. Initially it was under the supervision of Bombay Government. The Central Government took over its direct management in 1876.
When industrial application of steam power was nascent, the Mint was equipped with steam engins of varying powers. It now has modern electric furnaces and other sophisticated equipment. Its present daily out-turn is about 2.5 million coins, medals, seals, etc.
The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is happy to commemorate 150 years of India Government Mint, Bombay by issuing a postage stamp.
(The above text is based on material published elsewhere and/or supplied by the sponsors). |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
: |
The stamp depicts a view of the building of Govt. Mint, Bombay alongwith a die press machine. The first day cover is a line sketch of the building. |
| Stamp Currency |
: |
P |
| Stamp Type |
: |
COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
: |
English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
: |
3.91 X 2.90 cms |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
: |
3.55 X 2.5 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
: |
35 |
| Stamp Perforations |
: |
13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
: |
Horizontal |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
: |
Unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
: |
Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
: |
20,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
: |
India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
: |
Multicolour |
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