Pranab Mukherjee releases Rs.150 commemorative coin

New Delhi, Feb 26(ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday released the commemorative coins in denomination of Rs.150 and Rs.5 to mark the completion of year long celebrations of 150 years of Income Tax collections.

The coins minted under the authority of the Central Government, commemorate "Income Tax - 150 years of Building India".

"The coin of Rs.150 denomination is the first such coin in India and this itself makes this occasion a momentous occasion to remember. I hope that the Income Tax Department would shine in its glory as I see the shine of these coins which I have released just now," Mukherjee said.

The reverse faces of the coins bear the portrait of "Chanakya and Lotus with Honeybee" at the centre representing his famous lines, "..... ideally, governments should collect taxes like a honeybee, which sucks just the right amount of honey from the flower so that both can survive.....".

Just below the portrait of Chankya, the word "Chanakya" is written in Hindi and English.

The left and right peripheries of the coins are flanked with words "Income Tax-150 years of Building India" in both Hindi and English.

The Rs.150 is not only unique for its denomination, but also its size and metal composition.

The 44 millimetre circular coin is made of 50 percent silver. (ANI)