Exhibition of wildlife coins a major draw in Kolkata

Kolkata, Oct. 24 (ANI): An exhibition of wildlife coins in Kolkata is proving to be a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.

The exhibition has coins on display from across the world.

There are silver coins from Belize depicting the Red Booby bird and from St. Kitts Island depicting the Green-throated Carib Hummingbird.

Organised by the Numismatic Society of Calcutta, the international three-day exhibition has also put bank notes and photographs on display apart from coins.

From Bhutan there are silver coins with the majestic Snow Leopard and the naughty Golden Langoor. Zambia's coin issued to mark Children's rights has a delicately poised Fawn on it while Indonesia's conservation series has the Javan Tiger.

There are a large number of wildlife coins from Canada also mostly depicting birds.

Indian coins from 5th and 6th century B C, the panch mark silver coins as they are being called, depicting different animals like fish and bird, are also on display.

"We are exhibiting with a thematic collection on wildlife. Wildlife is a very important aspect as we were approached by the concerned department to exhibit coins and bank notes along with photographs, which will depict our wildlife because currently it is going through a state of preservation," said Debashish Pal, member of Numismatic Society Of Calcutta.

Wildlife enthusiasts expressed regret that the national animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the national bird, the peacock are now on the verge of extinction.

"No tiger is available. In jungles, we could not find tiger, day after day chasing in the Sunderbans jungles then we can find at a glance one tiger. But some awareness should be there. Same is true for our national bird peacock," said Amit Mitra, a wildlife enthusiast. (ANI)