Father son duo flaunts enticing coin collection

Dharampura (Punjab), Jun 16: A father son duo of Dharmpura village in Punjab, have displayed an enticing coin collection of post and pre-independent India. Vijay Singhgaar's fascination for different kinds of currency began way beyond in his school days in 1982. A farmer by profession he has unique assortment of coins and notes.

He possesses currency notes of George fifth, George sixth, notes that Indian Government made for Pakistan in 1948, cash coupons of princely states. Vijay's collection comprises of one rupee coin in silver of Portuguese king and Maharaja Ganga Singh of India's western Bikaner state.

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Vijay has also got some rare hundred and thousand rupee notes issued in the year 1927.

"I was interested in collecting coins since childhood. My father was in the revenue services and he possessed different currencies. Out of that whichever coins or notes I liked I used to keep it with myself. At that time I did not think that I would become such a huge coin collector. With passing time I kept on collecting more coins. Today, not only in Punjab, but all over India no one possesses so many pre and post independence coins and notes," said Singhgaar.

Very few people know that after the post partition massacre, the Indian Government produced currency for Pakistan from April 1948 to 1949. Vijay Singhgaar has some of these coins.

Vijay possesses coins from the countries such as Pakistan, United Kingdom and Burma to name a few.

In the year 2001, on the occasion of his son Gaurav's birthday Vijay presented him his unique collection of coins and notes.

This precious gift from his father had landed Gaurav a mention in the Limca Book of World Records.

A product of Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Gaurav followed his father's footsteps and has made significant contribution to his collection.

Many of Gaurav's friends visit his house to take a look at his rare collection and leave awe-struck by the variety available.

"Gaurav is a very good friend of mine. I have come from Jaipur. He keeps talking about currency all the time. Whenever we sit idle in class he always talks to me about currency. I have come here to see his collection. I like his collection and he has maintained them very well," said Ravi, Gaurav's friend.

Vijay Singhgaar's first love however remains farming and his son Gaurav is getting his lessons there as well. By Avtar GillANI)

ANI