VIJAYAWADA: Rare stamps, coins and documents of historical value drew hundreds of visitors to the two-day Philatelic and Numismatic exhibition that concluded at the Kakatiya Mahila Kalasala here on Sunday. The exhibition was hosted by the Vijayawada Numismatic and Philatelic Association. Mayor Koneru Sreedhar formally inaugurated the two-day maiden expo on Saturday.
A number of students from across the city came and saw the coins made of copper, lead, silver, gold and nickel - some belonging to the erstwhile princely states, East India Company and the British Raj and several others from even abroad. Stamp papers, antique gramophone, gramophone records, old locks, and postcards too were on display. But it was the coins of bygone eras that attracted the students most.
PS Prakash Rao, member of the Vijayawada Numismatic and Philatelic Association, told Express that coins from across the world, Indo-British, and even those belonging to the Kakatiya and Sri Krishnadevaraya eras were available with them. Rao is mainly into coins and it’s his hobby to collect rare and vintage currency. His friend and secretary of the association NVS Raju is interested in collecting stamps, especially those of Bhutan, and also a wide variety of them at that, including scented and gold-coated stamps.
How did they manage to have such a huge collection? “It started as a hobby when I was in Class IX. But over a period of time, I developed a passion for it and here I am! Doing what I like best whenever I find time,” G Rajesh, who has a collection of a wide range of commemorative coins, said. Rajesh is also member of the association.
“The exhibition has provided an opportunity for the residents of the city to understand the country’s historical and cultural achievements depicted on the coins and stamps,” explained association president K Shivaji.
Space constraint in Vijayawada has forced the association to stay away from displaying the rare stamps and coins till now. The association was formed a year ago and this was their first exhibition. The exhibition was also intended to offer some other services to those interested.