India introduced their first decimal coins in 1957.  The coins were initially called Naye Paise, or new Paise, to distinguish them from the previous coins. In order to aid the many blind in the country, each coin was distinctly different.  This six coin set includes the round 1 Naye Paisa, scalloped edge 2 Naye Paisa, the square 5 Naye Paise, the scalloped edge 10 Naye Paisa, the round 25 Naye Paise, all dated 1957, and the round 50 Naye Paise dated 1960, its first year of issue.  The coins have the denomination on one side and the lion capital from the Sarnath pillar of Ashoka.  The Ashoka lion capital was erected around 250BC and now serves as the national emblem of India.  All 6 coins are Uncirculated.

MODERN INDIAN COIN SET INCLUDES ODD SHAPES

This set of ten recent  coins of India includes 6 odd-shaped coins.   Included is the 11-sided 2002 2 Rupee features a map of India.  The 2001 1 Rupee is struck in stainless steel.  The 1999 50 Paisa features the Parliament building and a map of India.  A rhinoceros is featured on the 1994 25 paise. The aluminum 1988 20 Paisa coin is a siven sided coin. The 1988 10 paisa is also struck in stainless steel.  The square 5 Paisa is dated 1993.   The 1971 3 Paisa coin is a six sided coin. The 1976 2 Paisa has scallopped edges.  The 1972 1 Paisa is square.  Because of their low purchasing power and the high cost of production, the lower four denominations are no longer issued and are increasingly difficult to get.  The The reverse of the coins features three lions from the ancient Pillar of Asoka, a sandstone pillar from the third century BC.  It is an  interesting set that includes a variety of unusual shapes.

NEW COINS FROM INDIA

This set includes five recent coins from India.  Included is recently released, 2006 dated bi-metallic 10 Rupees.  The other four coins are all dated 2009. There are two 5 Rupees, one a regular issue that utilizes the same design as the previous regular issue, however is struck in an aluminum-bronze alloy.  The other commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. Alphonsa.  St. Alphonsa was a catholic nun who died in 1946.  Soon miraculous cures were attributed to her.  In 2008 she became the second person of Indian origin to be canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.   The stainless steel 1 and 2 Rupees portray ancient Bharata Natyam Dance hand gestures.  The 2 Rupee looks like a someone flashing a peace sign and the one rupee is someone giving a thumbs up.  The three headed Asoka lion pedestal is on the obverse of each coin.