Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 20 Paise 1968-1971, KM# 41, India, Republic
  • 20 Paise 1968-1971, KM# 41, India, Republic
Obverse

Depicts the State Emblem of India surrounded by the country name.

The State Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, preserved in the Sarnath Museum near Varanasi, India. A representation of Lion Capital of Ashoka was officially adopted on 26 January 1950, the day that India became a republic. The emblem appears on all Indian currency.

The actual Sarnath capital features four Asiatic lions standing back to back, symbolizing power, courage, confidence and pride, mounted on a circular base. At the bottom is a horse and a bull, and at its centre is a wheel (Dharma Chakra). The abacus is girded with a frieze of sculptures in high relief of The Lion of the North, The Horse of the West, The Bull of the South and The Elephant of the East, separated by intervening wheels, over a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration.

In the emblem finally adopted, only three lions are visible, the fourth being hidden from view. The wheel appears in relief in the centre of the abacus, with a bull on the right and a galloping horse on the left, and outlines of Dharma Chakras on the extreme right and left.

भारत INDIA

Reverse

Lotus blossom above date. Varieties of high and low date exist. Mintmark (if any) under the date.

पैसे 20 PAISE
1971

Edge
Characteristics
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 4.6 g
Diameter 22 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mints
Calcutta Mint (no mintmark)
Hyderabad Mint (★)
Mumbai Mint (♦)

Related coins

100th Anniversary of Birth of Mahatma Gandhi

Aluminium Bronze, 4.5 g, ⌀ 22 mm

Aluminium, 2.2 g, ⌀ 26 mm