Gems of my collection

"I started collecting stamps, coins and notes since 1995 and yet not grown out of that boyhood passion". 

-Nilaish 

Introduction: 
I started collecting first postage stamps of different countries from my friends and relatives. I kept hinging stamps in my red album since that time...and also today I am filling gaps in the album. I used to look for used envelopes from foreign countries. I found this addiction rather interesting and very compelling. Slowly I learned that it is more interesting to collect stamps by theme or by a country! I collected stamps of India (1911-1985), Commonwealth Stamps (& 200 Countries) (1840-1945) and Service Stamps of India (1911-1985). It took me 20 years to reach to this level and If I want to count them then it is a nightmare!

When I was 12 years old my mother showed me some old silver coins preserved in our family. These one rupee coins were of British India. I first saw images of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI on Indian coins. I was amazed and asked from my father and family how come we have British Monarchs on Indian coins? My father told me to find out, as he is a Professor of History! This helped me to learn a good deal of geographical and historical knowledge of India and abroad. I first saw few one rupee notes with pictures of King George VI in green-blue colour. This helped to get fascinated and collect notes of India since British era.  I am presenting 5 gems of my collection here and I have ranked them as I like them. The rank might change in few years.

Number 5: 1895 Morgan Dollar Philadelphia mint  

Type: Morgan Silver Dollar

Year: 1895

Mint Mark: No mint mark

Face Value: 1.00 USD

Total Produced: 880,000 [?]

Silver Content: 90% 

Silver Weight: .7735 oz.

Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around $28,786, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $70,000 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say average, we mean in a similar condition to other coins issued in 1895. Relatively few 1895 dated silver dollars exist today. Original mintages at the time were only a fraction of most other dates. Because of its rarity a coin of this importance requires a close inspection to realize its full value. Of particular interest is the mint that struck the coin. Silver dollar collections are often formed around the different mints striking coins and in 1895 only two mints were involved. A distinctive "mintmark" was used by each and placed on the reverse. 

Number 4: 1904 10 Rupees dated 15th Aug. 

Govt of India, 10 Rupees, 15 Aug. 1904, Calcutta, signed by A.F. Cox. 

Provenance: 1914 Purchased for 14/-, Sold to me by Grandson of the owner (Information upon request). Valued over US$ 4,000+ 

Number 3: Wajid Ali Shah, Asharfi 

Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, Lucknow Mint, Gold Mohur (Ashrafi), AH 1265/3 RY, Obv: "bitayid elah zille haque"couplet, Rev: bait-us-sultanat lucknow mulk awadh, parasol above crown, sana julus & zarb, flanked by mermaids holding flag, crossed swords below, 10.66g, 21.14mm, (KM # 378.1). Exceedingly rare in this grade, Valued for US$ 6,000+

Number 2: KGVI 1000 Rupees 

Reserve Bank of India, 1000 Rupees, Calcutta, signed by James Braid Taylor, About uncirculated. It is rare to find this type in top grades. I consider this grade by pleasing and without any flaws or annotations. Valued over US$ 6,000+ 

Number 1: 1939 One Rupee