Unearthed - Bullet Coins of the Gurkhas

This 4 Paisa coin from Nepal, the country on the Roof of the World, is minted from WWII rifle bullet casing and pays tribute to the Nepalese Gurkhas, who enjoy a legendary reputation as soldiers worldwide.

The emergence of this coin is unique in numismatic history. During World War II, Gurkha regiments fought together with the British and allied troops against the Japanese.

The spent cartridge cases were gleaned from the battlefields. General Shamshek Rama discovered these empty cartridge cases in a government warehouse behind the Tangal Palace and the afore-mentioned suggested in 1955 that they should be minted into coins as a way of paying homage to the fallen and valiant Gurkha soldiers. As the number of empty shells was limited, the 4 Paisa coins were issued for a period of only 1 year.

The hole in the centre was created through the elimination of the detonation plates of the cartridge cases.