KARACHI, May 28: To commemorate the 150th year of the Lawrence College Ghora Gali, Murree, the State Bank of Pakistan launched Rs20 commemorative coins on Saturday. The coins went on sale at the exchange counters of all the 16 field offices of the SBP Banking Services Corporation.

In the span of one week, it's the second Rs20 commemorative coin that the SBP has introduced — the first was issued to celebrate the 60 years of the establishment of Pak-China diplomatic ties.

The heads, or obverse side of the coin, has the expanding crescent and a five-point star in the centre, signifying Pakistan's flag. Islami Jamhooria Pakistan inscribed in Urdu can be seen over the crescent, below which the year 2011 is given. The number 20 in bold letters as well as in Urdu flank the star. A circle of beads along the rim of the coin adds a decorative element to it. The monogram of the Lawrence College is shown on the tails, or reverse side, of the currency coin. Along the periphery '150 Year Celebrations — Lawrence College Ghora Gali Murree' can be read in English.

Talking to Dawn chief spokesmen for the SBP Syed Wasimuddin said: “We've minted 100,000 coins. We're giving no more than five pieces to one individual. It's a legal tender. As for why Lawrence College Ghora Gali, it was the federal cabinet's decision.”

The coin is composed of copper (75 per cent) and nickel (25pc). Its diameter is 30mm and it weighs 9.5 grams.

Noted coin collector Rafique Kasbati said: “I think it's a good thing, but I'd again stress the fact that had it been in silver and in the Rs100 denomination, it'd have been better. The Rs20 coins that they issued to commemorate Pak-China diplomatic relations last week have now become rare. You can't find them at the National Bank of Pakistan. Their market value has touched the Rs50 mark. I don't think the value of this particular coin (Lawrence College) will increase that much. Some students might want to keep them though.”