The Prime Minister of India, in a function held at his official residence on 18th April, 2008, has released coins in denominations of Rs. 100/- and Rs. 5/- to commemorate "150 years of the First War of Independence".

The Rs. 100 coin has a weight of 35 grams with metal composition of Silver 50%, Copper 40%, Nickel 5% and Zink 5%. The Rs. 5 coin has a weight of 9 grams with metal composition of Copper 75% and Nickel 25%.

The face of the coin bears a combined portrait of General Tantya Tope (on the left side), Emperor Bahadur Shah II (on the right side) and at the Centre the warrior Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi in the battle field.

The Rs. 100/- coin is not meant for circulation. The Rs. 5 coin (2.5 million pieces) is being put in circulation through the Reserve Bank of India.

Sets of two coins (Rs. 100/- and Rs. 5/-) will also be made available to the collectors on payment by the India Government Mint, Mumbai. An advertisement in this regard is being issued shortly by the Mint.

Commemorative coin issuance: non-circulating high-denomination coin and circulating low-denomination coin released via central bank for collectors Government authorised two commemorative coins with specified metal compositions and distinct circulation statuses: the higher-denomination coin is designated non-circulating, while the lower-denomination coin is placed into general circulation via the Reserve Bank of India; collector sets combining both coins will be sold by the India Government Mint.