Coin Minting in India: All 4 Indian Mints and Their Mint Marks Explained
India produces its circulating coins through four government mint factories operated by Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) under the Ministry of Finance.
Every coin you see in your pocket carries a tiny symbol (mint mark) — this tells you which mint produced the coin.
Collectors and even RBI officials use these marks to identify production batches, quality control, and rarity.
Why Mint Marks Matter
- Identify origin of coin
- Detect rare collector variants
- Track production volume
- Authenticate genuine coins
- Help numismatists (coin collectors)
The mint mark is usually located below the year on modern Indian coins.
1. Mumbai Mint (Maharashtra)
Established: 1829 (British era)
Operator: SPMCIL
Status: Oldest & primary mint of India
Mint Mark
◆ (Small Diamond) below the year
Special Notes
- Most common coins in circulation come from Mumbai
- Produces commemorative coins frequently
- Earlier British India coins also minted here
Collector Tip
If a coin has no mint mark, it is also from Mumbai (very important!)
2. Kolkata Mint (West Bengal)
Established: 1757 (oldest mint in India historically)
Modern facility: Alipore Mint
Mint Mark
No mark at all (blank)
Special Notes
- Many people wrongly think blank coins are fake — they are actually Kolkata mint coins
- Produced early East India Company coins
- Historically most important mint in Asia
3. Hyderabad Mint (Telangana)
Established: 1903 (Nizam era origin)
Modern location: Cherlapally
Mint Mark
★ (Star)
Special Notes
- Produces proof sets & UNC collector coins
- Earlier minted coins of the Nizam of Hyderabad
- High-quality finishing compared to others
4. Noida Mint (Uttar Pradesh)
Established: 1988
Youngest mint in India
Mint Mark
● (Small Dot)
Special Notes
- Handles large modern circulation demand
- Produces stainless steel coins in bulk
- Many recent ₹1, ₹2, ₹5 coins are from Noida
Quick Comparison Table
| Mint | Location | Mint Mark | Founded | Collector Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Maharashtra | ◆ Diamond | 1829 | Common |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | No mark | 1757 | Often mistaken rare |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | ★ Star | 1903 | Premium quality |
| Noida | Uttar Pradesh | ● Dot | 1988 | Modern circulation |
Where To Find the Mint Mark on Coin
Look below the year on the reverse side of modern coins:
Example:₹5 2014 ★ → Hyderabad Mint₹10 2018 ● → Noida Mint₹2 2007 ◆ → Mumbai Mint₹1 2012 (blank) → Kolkata Mint
Interesting Facts
- India mints billions of coins yearly
- Hyderabad proof coins are exported to collectors worldwide
- Some rare variants sell for ₹5,000+ among collectors
- During shortage, multiple mints produce same year coins — creating collectible varieties
Conclusion
Every Indian coin secretly carries its birthplace.
Once you learn mint marks, even daily pocket change becomes a mini treasure hunt.
Next time you get change — check below the year… you may find coins from four different cities of India in one day!
