Minted history: The coin collectors of Old Delhi

Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is crowded, chaotic and filled with history . It’s a tourist attraction and for coin collectors a Mecca . Antique coin seller Sukh Ram Tiwari, 74, has been serving collectors in Chandni Chowk for the last four decades. Tiwari earns about Rs 200 everyday by selling coins. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

Updated on: Sep 02, 2016 4:21 PM IST

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Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is crowded, chaotic and filled with history . It’s a tourist attraction and for coin collectors a Mecca . Antique coin seller Sukh Ram Tiwari, 74, has been serving collectors in Chandni Chowk for the last four decades. Tiwari earns about Rs 200 everyday by selling coins. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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Collectors and tourists visit Chandni Chowk collect old coins and take them back home as souvenirs. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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An example of a coin from the reign of British India with the crowned bust of Queen Victoria from the 1800s when they were widely circulated. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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“At one time, coin-collecting like many other hobbies was much sought after and provided a constant source of livelihood but (has) dwindled drastically in the past decade.” says Satya Narayan Sharma, 70, who is a coin-seller and now lives in penury. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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Coins of various hues and shapes are displayed on a stall in Chandni Chowk. Rare and historic coins are indistinguishable to casual observers, with only the most discerning of collectors able to spot hidden gems. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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A punched-marked coin dating back to the Mauryan Empire is held up by Anwar Aziz , who has more than three thousand coins in his collection. Mauryan err coins were made of silver of standard weight and had irregular shapes. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

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A collector sifts through old coins in the hope of finding a rare example in the bylanes of Old Delhi. Enthusiasts spend considerable time regularly hunting for rare coins that may turn up on numerous visits to such coin sellers hoping to supplement their private collections. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)