5 Naye Paise Republic of India Years of Minting 1957–1963 CE Copper-Nickel Coin

Republic of India, Years of Minting: 1957–1963 CE, Denomination: 5 Naye Paise, Metal: Copper-Nickel, Weight: 4.05 grams, Diameter: 22 mm, Reference: KM# 16, About Very Fine.

Obverse: Ashoka Lion Capital centered, with the country name in Devanagari “भारत” and Latin “INDIA” on either side.

Reverse: Denomination “5 NAYE PAISE” with the date below, accompanied by the Devanagari inscription “रुपये का बीसवाँ भाग” (One-Twentieth of a Rupee), emphasizing its place within India’s newly introduced decimal currency system.

Issued during the formative years of India’s decimal coinage reform, the 5 Naye Paise coin was introduced in 1957 following the historic transition from the traditional anna-based monetary structure to a modern decimal system where 100 Paise equaled one Rupee. The word “Naye” (meaning “new”) was intentionally added to help the public distinguish the new decimal currency from the older pre-decimal denominations still familiar to many citizens. Struck in durable copper-nickel, this denomination became an important part of daily commerce and circulated widely across urban markets and rural regions alike. Its distinctive square design with rounded corners made it easily recognizable and practical for everyday handling. The inscription “One-Twentieth of a Rupee” further educated users about the new monetary structure during a period of economic modernization and administrative reform. As the decimal system became fully accepted throughout the country, the word “Naye” was officially removed from Indian coinage in 1964. Today, the 5 Naye Paise remains a significant collectible representing India’s transition into a modern decimal currency era and the early development of the Republic’s national coinage system.