Faridabad: Hobbies are not just a thing to pass time. When this hobby becomes a passion, then a person makes even the impossible possible. Satish Singhal of Faridabad did the same. His hobby of collecting old coins and notes has now become a museum which people come from all over the country to see. This is not just a pile of coins and notes but a treasure of history, heritage and culture, in which the Singhal couple spent their 21 years.
Currencies of more than 100 countries
Satish Singhal tells that this journey started in 2004 with a small hobby. I just liked old notes and coins, started getting some and gradually the collection kept increasing. Now they have currencies of more than 100 countries, everything foreign and domestic. There are coins from the era of kings and emperors and even after independence. The special thing is that he has made his house a museum where anyone can come and see this history for free.
Name registered in Limca Book of Records 15 times
Satish Singhal has been Honorary Director in Haryana State Pollution Control Board. He says, this journey of collecting coins was as long as it was fun. He never bought notes or coins from the market by paying premium and added whatever he got. This hobby became so big that his name appeared in the Limca Book of Records 15 times. His place is also confirmed in India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.
American coins are also nearby
The museum has notes and coins from many countries including America and Hong Kong. Satish tells that different coins were issued in the name of all the 46 Presidents of America so far and he has them all. He also has a note from Hong Kong which is printed on one side only and was in circulation only there.
Raja-Maharaja era coins
Along with foreign currency, his Indian collection is even more interesting. He has everything from the Damri, Pai, One Ana, Two Anas, coins with holes, coins with horses, silver two Anas of the British times to today’s coins, from the era of kings and maharajas. He says that the British government had introduced coins in India in 1862 and he also has two annas of pure silver from that period safe with him.
Coins ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1000
Special coin issued on the foundation stone of Ram Mandir, Rs 100 coin made on the occasion of Dandi March, gold-silver coins issued on the occasion of Pran Pratistha, coins of Rs 200, 350, 500 and even Rs 1000 are kept in his museum. The most important thing is that despite having such a priceless collection, the Singhal couple never took money from anyone. He says that this collection is for the society so that people can know how the country’s currency changed.
He has the complete timeline of Indian currency. Satish says that once upon a time, rupee did not exist in India, Kodi used to exist. Even today people say the saying ‘I will not give a coin’. That historical code is also with them. There is also Pi whose value was equal to 1/12 of 1 rupee. After that came coming and then the flow of money started. The value of quarter anna was considered equal to one paisa.
Now he has 120 different types of 1 rupee coins from every era. 52 coins of 10 paise, 42 coins of 10 rupees and many coins of 5 paise are also decorated in his cupboard.
I have many unique numbered notes
The collection of notes is no less amazing. They have many notes with unique numbers like 000000, 000001, 000002, 000003, 000004, the entire series up to 000006. Similarly, notes with numbers 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000 also. 786 series notes which are considered special in Islam are also present in notes ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 500, with numbers like 000786, 786000, 768786.
Satish tells that earlier the 100 rupee note was very big, then gradually its size decreased, every change, every design, every story is all recorded in his museum.
Satish Singhal is now 63 years old but the enthusiasm is still the same as the first day. They say that this is not just a hobby but an attempt to preserve the history of the country.
Many big people have visited his house-museum till now, including Union Minister Krishnapal Gurjar, Haryana Government Minister Vipul Goyal and many other officials and leaders. He was also honored at the district level on 15th August.
History and lessons of coins are in the museum
Satish Singhal believes that this museum is a lesson for the coming generations about what history is, what is the importance of currency and how every coin brings a story with itself. According to him, notes and coins are not just money but documents of history, culture and emotions.
Today his house has become an address in Faridabad where people come to see history for free. And Satish Singhal with his smile and proud eyes tells the stories hidden behind these coins and notes to every visitor. His story tells us that if a hobby turns into a passion, a person can turn his home into a museum. And it is this passion that connects the coming generations to history. Satish Singhal has his own company which manufactures nuts and bolts.
