20 Paise FAO – Republic of India Commemorative Issue Aluminium Bronze Collectable Grade Coin

Obverse: Ashoka Lion Capital with denomination below; country name and denomination in Devanagari and Latin.

Reverse: Floating lotus flower below the sun, flanked by wheat grains, with the inscription “FOOD FOR ALL” and “सब के लिए अन्न” and the year “1970”.

Issued in 1970 to commemorate the FAO “Food for All” theme, this Twenty Paise coin represents a circulating commemorative issue of the Republic of India. Struck in aluminium bronze, the coin promoted the ideals of food security and agricultural development associated with the Food and Agriculture Organization. The reverse features a floating lotus flower beneath the sun, surrounded by wheat grains, symbolizing agriculture, food production and prosperity. The inscriptions “FOOD FOR ALL” and “सब के लिए अन्न” emphasize the central message of the commemorative issue, while the year “1970” identifies this particular issue. Produced at the Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai) Mints, these coins entered general circulation and served as a lasting reminder of the international campaign for adequate food and agricultural progress. Today, the 1970 FAO Food for All Twenty Paise coin remains an interesting and collectible commemorative issue of modern Indian coinage.

Coinage Note: This commemorative type was struck at the Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai) Mints. Calcutta Mint pieces have no mint mark, while Bombay Mint coins bear the  mint mark. Bombay Mint proof issues bear the “B” mint mark. The coin has a reeded edge and is catalogued as KM# 43, making it a notable circulating commemorative issue in Republic of India numismatics.