Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals and related objects.
The word Numismatics is a French word “numismatiques,” borrowed from the Latin word “numismatis.” The English term “numismatics” was first used in 1829, and it was borrowed from the adjective “numismatic.”
The practice of collecting coins can be traced to ancient times during the reigns of rulers like Caesar Augustus. But tracing the history, the modern numismatics activities were begun mid-17th century onward.
Collection of coins and currency tells artistry, history, geography, the theme, the date, or the nation of issue. Additionally, coins and paper currency provide information for trade, economy, social organization, mythology, ideologies, personages, leadership, military, important events, and many more.
Nepal Numismatic Society has been active in its activities in the country. Among many, a Numismatist Udaya Man Tamrakar has been devoting his time in bringing out Numismatic Cards.
After bringing out a Numismatic Card depicting Kasthamandap for the first time sometime back, he has brought out another venture depicting Lumbini– the birth place of Lord Buddha– Light of Asia recently.
The card consists of a picture of Lumbini and Buddha with Nepali transactional paper note in which the picture of Ashok Stambha of Lumbini has appeared along with various numeric coins and postal stamps designed by Olden Collections.
Tamrakar is a “rocks, minerals and gem stones”specialist by profession who involved in precious stone business for decades. But as the tourism business slowing down he u-turned into the Numismatic activities.
According to Numismatist Tamrakar, his collection has been gifted to various distinguished personalities involved in the different walks-of-life of the Nepali society including this scribe and also put for sale too.
No doubt, if properly stored, they can remain in the same condition that may last for centuries as they are today. They are items unlikely to be discarded and forgotten about. They have the potential to spark happy memories time after years and decades. In other words, coins and paper money are gifts of enduring value.
However, simply giving coins or paper money as gifts, while nice, may be more appreciated if it would add something extra design and effort. Numismatic gifts can be more meaningful if accompanied by an album or other means of storage or a reference catalogue where the coin or bank note can be researched.
The numismatic cards, Tamrakar has so far produced, have definitely promoted the culturally important UNESCO listed heritage sites of Nepal. Thus, the concerned agencies of the Government of Nepal must value the and recognize the effort of the numismatist for the encouragement to be involved more in future.
