Demonetisation forces Vasai numismatist to give up special notes

Demonetising Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes has shattered the world of this 65-year-old numismatist, who runs a restaurant in a Vasai village. Jagdeesh Shetty, who collected ‘unique’ notes in Rs500 and Rs1,000 denomination, said he was forced to stand in a queue for three hours to exchange the notes amounting to Rs15,000 in a bank.

Demonetising Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes has shattered the world of this 65-year-old numismatist, who runs a restaurant in a Vasai village. Jagdeesh Shetty, who collected ‘unique’ notes in Rs500 and Rs1,000 denomination, said he was forced to stand in a queue for three hours to exchange the notes amounting to Rs15,000 in a bank.

Jagdeesh Shetty, with his ‘unique’ notes. (Salim Taj)

“I have been collecting unique currency notes since 2011, which were given to me by my customers. I had Rs500 notes from unique series numbers such as 888567, 888555, 000200 and 888500, among others, and Rs1,000 notes from unique series numbers such as 666150, 222555, 103030,” said Shetty.

Shetty would take special care of these notes and took several precautionary measures to protect them from termites and other insects. “I am sad to have let go of these notes, but the move is for the greater good of the nation,” he said.

Besides, notes of higher denominations, Shetty has a penchant for collecting notes like Re1, Rs5, Rs10, Rs20, Rs50 and Rs100 bearing unique series numbers. “I have the series ending with 786 and 879,” said Shetty.

The demonitisation of the Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes will not stop Shetty from continuing his hobby of collecting special notes of the new Rs500 and Rs2,000 series.