Modern Indian coins usually carry a small symbol beneath the year of issue. This symbol is known as the mint mark, and it indicates the mint facility where the coin was manufactured. India currently produces circulation coins at four government mints located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Noida.
Each mint uses a distinctive identifying symbol. Coins struck in Mumbai typically show a small diamond mark below the date. Coins produced at Hyderabad display a five-pointed star, while those made at Noida carry a small round dot. Coins minted at Kolkata, the oldest mint in India, normally do not show any symbol beneath the year.
These marks help collectors identify where a particular coin was produced and can sometimes indicate different varieties of the same coin. Although mint marks do not usually affect the face value of a coin, they are useful in numismatic study and may occasionally be associated with scarcer varieties or lower mintages.
On most Indian coins the mint mark appears directly below the year on the obverse or reverse side, depending on the design. By examining this small symbol carefully, collectors can quickly determine the mint of origin for the coin.
Where to Find the Mint Mark
On most Indian coins the mint mark appears below the year of issue. In some designs it may appear on the reverse side of the coin. Because the symbols are very small, a magnifying glass is often helpful when identifying them.