Meet numismatist having rare coins

Manmeet Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 12

At 48, Harinder Singh Bittu, a successful poultry and meat businessman, is also a proud possessor of rare coins and currency notes. Bittu has currency notes of around 50 countries.

Among his proud possessions include a ‘nanakshahi’ coin, mori wale paise, ashrafis of Mughal era, one quarter anna issued by the East Indian Company in 1835, several coins issued over half a century ago, a dollor coin used by the US in 1804 and hundreds of other coins.

Singh also has in his collection a medal given to freedom fighters after Independence. “Though no one from our family has played an active part in the freedom struggle, I, somehow, found it at home,” he says.

Bittu had started collecting coins at the age of 33 years. “At that time, I was very much busy as I had started taking care of our family business. Whenever I came across someone having rare coins, I pleaded before him to get it and even paid for the same,” he says.

According to Harinder, 80 per cent of his collection has been gifted by people. “I used to show my collection to people and they helped me out by offering coins they had. Most of my relatives and friends living in or visiting foreign countries try to bring some coins or currency notes. I had to buy foreign currency a number of times,” he says.

He feels that some people may term his activities a wastage of time and money but it is a pleasure for him. After a busy day, if someone  gifts me an old coin, I feel fresh again,” he adds.