Currency collector in a fix after note ban

New Delhi: Sixty-three-year-old R.K. Aggarwal, who has been collecting currency notes for their uniqueness and quirkiness for over the past 30 years, is in a dilemma post demonetisation whether he should to add up more notes to his treasure that now totals to whooping Rs 1 lakh.

“I am not sure if I want let go of the notes that I have collected. I have currency notes with signature of every governor — my oldest collection is from 1940s,” said Mr Aggarwal.

He told this newspaper that his passion for collecting notes will never die down, “From serial numbers to intricate design elements, I am always tempted to see details in any currency note launched by the government.”

Mr Aggarwal, proud of owner of the wiped-out coins and notes, said he wanted to write to the Reserve Bank of India in seeking some financial help but felt that the government won’t be selective in giving exemption.

Mr Aggarwal owns a sweet shop in Lakshmi Nagar. He said his friends and family admire his patience and effort towards his passion. “My grandchildren listen to me intently when I talk and share my interests with them.”

Though he doesn’t collect every currency note that is released by the RBI, and tucks away “only special” notes in his bags.

“I have different criteria for preserving notes. For example, I have Rs 500 notes with ‘786’ number series as last three digits. Many Muslims revere this number. Usually, a note has only a six digit serial number, but I have notes with even seven digit serial numbers. I also have even preserved notes having alphabets like ABC or OMG,” he said. Mr Aggarwal’s collection includes currency notes that date before the Independence.

He also possess a Rs 10 bill printed by the RBI for Burma (now Myanmar), as the federal bank continued to act as the banker for Burma till 1947 after its separation from India in 1938.

There are dozens of exclusive coins and notes. He also has different variants of currency notes printed and circulated by the RBI over the years.