Thane Chef Catalogues Father's 1,630-Piece Historic Coin Collection
Dipan Anuradha Bhalchandra Sawant, a 36-year-old executive chef residing near the three petrol pump premises in Thane, has taken up the task of cataloguing and expanding an extensive historical currency collection left behind by his late father.
The archive was originally started in 1968 by his father, Bhalchandra R. Sawant, a former BEST employee who gathered coins, notes, and stamps over decades. Following Bhalchandra's death in January 2024, Dipan discovered the collection while sorting through family belongings in 2025. He now manages the archive from the Thane home he shares with his mother.
The collection features more than 1,630 coins alongside vintage paper currency and Indian stamps commemorating historical milestones, personalities, and monuments. The centerpiece of the archive is a gold hon from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The coin measures 1.32 centimetres, weighs 2.732 grams, carries the Devanagari inscription "Shri Raja Shiv", and is linked to Shivaji Maharaj's coronation.
In addition to the coronation hon, the archive holds regional hon issues, Peshwa-period currency, and Maratha-era coins from Chander, Indore, and Ahmedabad. The items in the collection are composed of diverse metals, including gold, silver, copper, bronze, nickel-brass, aluminium, and stainless steel.
The collection also charts the evolution of Indian money across pre- and post-Independence eras. It contains historical denominations such as one paisa, two paise, five paise, four annas, and eight annas, alongside uncirculated commemorative issues, including a rare Rs 200 coin. Minting anomalies such as planchet flaws and off-centre strikes are also preserved. The paper currency section spans multiple post-Independence design periods and includes banknotes bearing the serial sequence 786.
Dipan stated that his father's passing reshaped his priorities, leading him to focus on family responsibilities and the preservation of the historical items. He has affirmed that he does not intend to monetise the collection, aiming instead to share the history behind the coins and notes with the public.
Looking ahead, Dipan is saving funds to acquire further pieces from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's dynasty as well as rare coins from the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He plans to donate the entire collection to a public museum if future family members are unable to maintain it.
