Hyderabad by Walk - Mint Museum

It's a great idea by whoever conceived it, to transform the old Mint Compound which is now defunct into a Mint Museum. I saw it first when I was on a morning walk with Sunnie back in January and it took me this long to pay a visit. It's located at Saifabad, behind the secretariat building, on the way to Prasad's Multiplex if you're taking the Mint Compound route.

Saifabad Mint Museum

History of Hyderabad Mint

Though there is no specific parking facility, one can find some space on either side of the entrance or park down the road. Apart from entering name and phone number, there is no entrance fee which I found surprising - they can easily charge some fee and cover costs. I'd have happily paid 20-50 bucks for entry.

Coin tree

Anyway, soon as you enter there is a long corridor with well made charts on display about the history of Mints in India - Mumbai Mint (1672) where the first rupee was coined until the present Mint was built in (124-30), the Kolkata Mint which was the result of a treaty between the East India Company and Siraj Ud Dowla (1757) which later was shifted as Silver Mint (1829),Copper Mint (1860) and the Alipore Mint in 1941. This Mint produced coins for many countries.

Some interesting weight 

A balance

Another chart showing the history of the Hyderabad Mint was was first built in Sultan Shahi area in the old city during the reign of Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam, and then was shifted to Dar Us Shafa in 1893. The Mint was modernised from 1895 under the rule of the sixth Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan and later under the rule of the seventh Nizam Mir Oasman Ali Khan. In 1903 it was fully overhauled and it is where it remained until it was taken over by the Government of India in 1950. In 1997 the Mint was shifted to Cherlapally, Hyderabad, which is the most modern Minting unit in the country having gold, silver melting capacity and can mint coins, medals and medallions.

A magnificent silver replica of Charminar

1000 tola Mohur

The Noida Mint was set up in 1984 which has the capacity to mint 2000 million pieces of coins and it is the only Mint established post Independence.

Medals and tokens made in Hyderabad Mint

Coins of Asaf Jah Dynasty

There is a lovely picture and an actual coin of the first Rupiah minted by Sher Shah Suri, a picture of the commemorative coins of the freedom struggle and the heritage of India,  a 1000 tola Mohur called the Nur-Al-Din Mohammad Jahangir, medals celebrating 400 years of Hyderabad with pictures of Quli Qutb Shah, Bhagmati, Golconda and Charminar. There are Asaf Jahi coins minted in our Mint - ashrafis, gold, silver, pais, anna, rupee, the Peston Shahi Sikka which was an honour given to the Parsi businessmen and brothers Seth Viccaji Meherji and Seth Pestonji Meherji who minted some of the most beautifully designed coins. They also built the Parsi Fire Temple in Secunderabad.

Old tools for hand made coins

Peston Shahi Sikka

There is a section with pictures of how the old Mint worked, printing blocks for forged currency and the signatures of all RBI Governors and Finance Secretaries. Some old balances, weights and measures and other such tools and equipment was also exhibited. 

Forgery stuff

Balance

Jahangir and his Zodiac coins

One goes to the end of the first corridor and turns left to find another large hall. There is another huge hall behind it which I am sure will slowly be filled up with more artifacts and interesting items. There are a few disinterested people sitting at the desk - they are supposed to sell coins and memorabilia but they had zero interest in anything.

Wheel barrow to transport coins perhaps

Quite interesting. Can spend an hour easily.