A well-known numismatist of the State has come forward to help the Government in the battle against coronavirus by selling some of about 2 lakh antique coins he has collected over past two decades.
Debi Prasad Mangaraj, a resident of Satya Nagar in Bhubaneswar, has decided to auction a part of his collection assuming that its value would be around crores of rupees.
“The country and the State are fighting together to tackle spread of the deadly virus. Doctors and health workers are the frontline warriors. Every day, I see in newspapers and TV channels that many people are extending helping hands to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to help the Governments in the battle. In such a situation, I have decided to do something on my own. I am planning to auction a few antique coins to collect some money that will be helpful for the corona warriors,” Mangaraj said.
He said he had never thought of selling his coins. Earlier, many people had approached him for sale of the coins and offered him crores. But he had turned down their offer because numismatics is his passion.
“Now, all my passion appears to be of little importance in view of what the corona warriors are doing. In India, there are many bidders, who give best price of many antique items and collections. Out of them, I am in contact with five or six persons. I have decided to sell those coins on which the researchers carry out study and are placed in various exhibitions. Though it is tough to estimate the values of the old coins, a substantial amount will help people in a big way,” Mangaraj said.
He said he would donate the entire amount to the Prime Minister Cares Fund and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to help the Governments in the fight against the pandemic.
Mangaraj, who recently cleared his BTech degree, had started collecting coins at his early age. The collection of coins starting from the era of Gupta dynasty and Emperor Shivaji, the British coins valid during the reigns of King George V, King George VI and Queen Victoria as well as the coins and currencies of the US, the UK and other countries is a vast treasure.
