lakchips

Lakchips, also known as *lakh chips* or *lakh paise coins*, refer to a series of commemorative coins issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1996. These coins were part of a special series celebrating the 50th anniversary of India’s independence and were minted to honor the country’s economic and cultural heritage. The term "lakchips" derives from the Hindi word *lakh*, meaning one hundred thousand, as the coins were valued at ₹1 lakh (100,000 paise) each, making them among the highest-denomination coins ever produced in India.

The series included coins featuring iconic landmarks, historical figures, and cultural symbols, such as the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and Mahatma Gandhi. Each coin was struck in gold, silver, and bronze, with gold lakchips being the most valuable. Due to their high face value and limited mintage, these coins were primarily intended for collectors rather than circulation. The RBI later withdrew them from public circulation, and today, lakchips are highly sought-after numismatic items, often fetching significant sums at auctions.

The production of lakchips was a unique experiment in Indian numismatics, reflecting both the nation’s pride in its history and the RBI’s efforts to promote coin collecting. While they never circulated widely, their legacy endures among collectors and historians as a fascinating piece of economic and cultural history.