Coins are a fascinating piece of history – within them they carry stories that you cannot possibly grasp just by looking at them.

I never use to give coins much thought – I collected them on and off for fun, but didn’t put any particular effort into it. They were simply something to own and catalogue.

Lately I’ve been giving them a little more attention and I thought I would pass along one of the little things I’ve learnt, just in case you’re interested.

See these coins in the photo? Aside from wear, they look like the same thing. 1947, a beaver and two maple leaves.

Despite that, one of these coins was minted in 1947, and the other in 1948.

You see, in 1947 India was busy regaining its independence. When 1948 came along, they were no longer under the rule of England. Our coins show the British monarch, and though you probably didn’t notice, their title. Back in 1947 that title included the fact they were also the Emperor of India, (ET IND:IMP).

In 1948 that title was no long valid – the only problem was that the new dies for the coins weren’t ready when new coinage was needed. In order to get around this problem without a shortage of money, they continued to mint the 1947 coin – with a small maple leaf beside the date to indicate that it was actually minted in 1948. Once the new dies with the correct inscription were ready, they switched and began minting coins with the date 1948.

If you take a good look at the second coin in the photo, you will see a tiny maple leaf to the right of the date.

A 1948 coin, with the date 1947!

A little tidbit that I find fascinating – and maybe you will as well.

-Theri