State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) organized a ceremony on November 12, 2019 to issue Rs.550 commemorative coin on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, known as the founder of Sikhism. It is the first time in the history of the country that a coin in memory of a religious personality has been issued.

The ceremony was held at the SBP Head Office in Karachi where Governor SBP, Dr. Reza Baqir unveiled the coin. A delegation of Sikh Community led by Sardar Ramesh Singh Khalsa, Patron in Chief Pakistan Sikh Council & Member Prime Minister’s Taskforce for Evacuee Trust Property Board, comprising members of Pakistan Sikh Council and Baba Guru Nanak Darbar also attended the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, Governor State Bank presented a memento to the Chief Guest, Sardar Ramesh Singh Khalsa.

The Government of Pakistan authorized the SBP to issue coins to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, marking the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims. These coins are available through the exchange counters of all the field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation from November 12, 2019. They are also available at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak at Kartarpur Sahib.

It may be recalled that Pakistan has thus far issued coins to recognize eight personalities including Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Mader-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Abdus Sattar Edhi, Dr. Ruth Pfau, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and now Baba Guru Nanak.

List of Commemorative Coins issued to Recognize Personalities

Composition:

Metal composition: Cupro-Nickel, Copper 75% & Nickel 25%
Dimension: 30.0 mm
Weight: 13.5 grams

Obverse: The waxing crescent moon and five-pointed star facing North West in rising position is in the center on the obverse side of the coin. Along with periphery on the top of the crescent star is inscribed in the wording “ISLAMI JAMHORIA PAKISTAN” in Urdu script. Below the crescent and at the top of two springs of wheat with arms curved upward, there is the year of issuance 2019. The face value of the coin in numerical “550” in bold letters and RUPIA in Urdu script are written on the right and left sides of the crescent star respectively.

Reverse: On the reverse side of the coin, picture of monument of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is shown in the center. The wordings of “550th Birthday Celebrations” written on the top of the monument and “Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji” at the bottom of monument whereas “1469-2019” is written along the periphery at the coin depicting the span of birthday celebrations.