How to Identify the India 10 Rupees Commemorative
A collector's guide to confirming the bi-metallic Maharana Pratap ₹10 by portrait, inscription, size, metal, and mint mark.
Read the full India 10 Rupees Commemorative encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the commemorative face. On this coin you should see Maharana Pratap in armor holding a sword, framed by a Devanagari inscription naming him, with the year 2015. This portrait-and-inscription combination, rather than a plain denomination design, is what marks the coin as a commemorative issue rather than an ordinary circulation ₹10.
Confirm the two-metal construction and size. The coin is bi-metallic: a golden aluminium-bronze outer ring around a silvery copper-nickel inner disc, about 27 mm across and roughly 7.7 grams. The clear color contrast between ring and center is a quick authenticity check; a single-color or noticeably off-size piece is not this type. The edge shows the security milling used on Indian bi-metallic coins.
Check the emblem face for standard elements and the mint mark. The reverse (not shown in this photo) carries the Lion Capital of Ashoka with "सत्यमेव जयते," the words "भारत" and "INDIA," and the rupee symbol with the numeral 10 and the year. A small mint mark sits below the year: a diamond for Mumbai, a star for Hyderabad, a dot for Noida, and no mark for Kolkata. Recording it identifies which mint struck your coin.
Watch for look-alikes. India issued many different ₹10 bi-metallic commemoratives with the same size, metals, and emblem side but different themed portraits, so read the inscription and image on the commemorative face carefully to be sure you have the Maharana Pratap type and not another subject. Ordinary non-commemorative ₹10 coins share the format but lack the portrait. Because these are inexpensive modern coins, sophisticated counterfeits are uncommon, but be cautious of altered dates or damaged pieces sold at inflated prices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell this from an ordinary ₹10 circulation coin?
The commemorative face carries the armored Maharana Pratap portrait and a naming inscription with the year, whereas standard circulation ₹10 coins show only decorative or denominational designs without a commemorated figure.
Where is the mint mark?
It is a small symbol below the year on the emblem (Ashoka Lion Capital) side: a diamond for Mumbai, a star for Hyderabad, a dot for Noida, and none for Kolkata.
What quick checks confirm it is genuine?
Verify the bi-metallic two-color construction, a diameter near 27 mm, a weight around 7.7 grams, and crisp lettering on both the portrait and emblem faces. Off-size, single-metal, or mushy-detail pieces should be treated with caution.