KARACHI: As authorised by the federal government on July 17, the State Bank of Pakistan will issue the Rs10 coin on Oct 24 from all exchange counters of field offices of the SBP’s services corporation.

The yellow-coloured coin is round with serrations on its edge. It weighs 5.50 grams and is 25.5mm in diameter.

The obverse side of the coin has a waxing crescent moon. A five-pointed star facing northwest in a rising position is at the centre of the coin.

On top of the crescent star along the periphery, Islami Jamhooria Pakistan is inscribed in Urdu. Below the crescent, and on top of the two sprigs of wheat with arms curved upwards, there is the year of issuance. A circle of small beads can also be seen along the coin’s edge.

The reverse side of the coin is decorated with the front-side picture of Faisal Mosque with doves flying over it.

The face value of the coin in the numeral ‘10’ in bold letters and Rs10 in Urdu are inscribed on the lower side of the coin. A circle of small beads is also along the coin’s edge.

Talking to Dawn, renowned collector Rafique Kasbati said that it would be the first time in the history of the country that the government would issue the Rs10 coin though it had issued commemorative ones several times on different historic occasions.

“Last time they issued the Rs10 commemorative coin in October 2009 to express solidarity and unity with the Peoples Republic of China on its 60th anniversary,” he said.

“Similarly it was also issued on the first death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, in 2003 on the 110th birth anniversary of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and in August 1998 to mark the silver jubilee of Pakistan’s Senate.”

Published in Dawn October 23rd, 2016