Nepal Approves Major Redesign of Re. 1 and Rs. 2 Coins

The Government of Nepal recently approved Nepal Rastra Bank’s plan to issue redesigned Re. 1 and Rs. 2 coins for use throughout the country. The coins will be lighter, smaller, and made from a different metal, with the changes intended to lower minting expenses, improve durability, and reduce possible health and environmental concerns linked to the materials currently in use.

Both Coins Will Become Lighter

Under the approved specifications, the weight of the Re. 1 coin will fall from 4 grams to 3.2 grams. The Rs. 2 coin will also be made lighter, dropping from 5 grams to 3.8 grams.

These reductions are expected to make production more economical while keeping the coins suitable for regular circulation.

Stainless Steel to Replace Metal Mixture

The redesigned coins will be manufactured from stainless steel instead of the combination of metals used in the existing versions. Nepal Rastra Bank officials believe the new material will remain cleaner over time, resist damage more effectively, and create fewer health and environmental concerns.

The change is also expected to reduce the financial burden of producing low-value currency. In the past, the cost of minting a single Re. 1 coin reportedly exceeded the coin’s face value.

Lo Gekar Monastery Chosen for Re. 1 Coin

One of the biggest design changes will be seen on the Re. 1 coin. Nepal’s map will be removed from this denomination because officials said it would not appear clearly on the coin’s reduced surface.

The replacement image will be the historic Lo Gekar Monastery in Mustang, an important religious and cultural site believed to date back to the eighth century.

Rs. 2 Coin Will Retain Nepal’s Map

The redesigned Rs. 2 coin will continue to display Nepal’s updated map and will largely preserve its familiar visual elements. Its main changes will involve weight, size, and the use of stainless steel.

Coins Currently Minted Abroad

Nepal does not presently manufacture these circulating coins domestically. The country’s coins are currently produced in Poland, and the redesigned versions are also expected to be minted overseas before being brought into circulation.

Why the Government Approved the Change

The redesign is mainly aimed at making Nepal’s smallest-value coins cheaper to produce and more practical to maintain. Officials expect the new coins to last longer, remain cleaner, and reduce unnecessary production costs without affecting their use in everyday transactions.