You, being an informed numismatist, probably know about The Republic of India's decimal coinage. You may even have seen and appreciated those coins because the obverses feature three lions posing on an Asoka pedestal, right? Do you know there are three varieties of those obverses? All photos courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery. When you view Variety 1, a 1975 1 Rupee, there are three things to pay attention to: 1. Toothless side Lions 2.Side Lions have 2 to 3 fur rows 3. Fat, squat "D" in INDIA http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1&src=Gundars Sokolovskis&query=India km 78.1 Please notice the "D" on this Variety 2 1973 50 Paise coin. The "D" is no longer fat or squat, but more dignified. Also, on this variety, notice the more refining details of the pedestal. Side Lions have 3 or 4 fur rows: Variety 2 50 Paise: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...c km61 50 Paise (1972,1973)&query=India km 61 Variety 3, as this 1979 Rupee displays, has the fat, squat "D" like variety 1, but the side lions heads are smaller, have 2 teeth and 4 to 5 fur rows: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1&src=Gundars Sokolovskis&query=India km 78.1 Thought you'd like to know... Clinker
While I have a few coins from India, I don't really collect them, so I have never paid any attention to those differences. Thanks, Clinker! I suppose the subtle changes are also due to the fact that the lions are on one hand heraldic (CoA) and on the other hand a very real object. (Just looked this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_Capital_of_Asoka up). I guess the fourth lion will always be "hidden". Christian
