Patna Press
  • Home
  • Patna
  • Bihar
  • Politics
  • Campus Buzz
  • Crime
  • Nation
  • World
  • Infra
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Patna
  • Bihar
  • Politics
  • Campus Buzz
  • Crime
  • Nation
  • World
  • Infra
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About us
No Result
View All Result
Patna Press
No Result
View All Result
Home Bihar

The King of Coins: In Bodh Gaya, A Collector Preserves Centuries-Old Currency

A Bodh Gaya collector’s extraordinary archive of Mughal, British and ancient Indian coins has become both a source of income and a window into Bihar’s layered history. Bahram Khalifa, known locally as Kamal, has amassed more than 8,000 coins dating back up to five centuries, turning a childhood fascination into a livelihood.

Staff Reporter by Staff Reporter
December 10, 2025
in Bihar
Reading Time: 3 mins read
The King of Coins: In Bodh Gaya, a collector preserves centuries-old currency

oplus_0

0
SHARES
58
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Bodhgaya/Patna: For nearly four decades, Bahram Khalifa — better known across Bodh Gaya as Kamal — has been quietly preserving fragments of India’s economic and cultural history. The 50-year-old, who now lives with his family in the Pachhatti neighbourhood, began collecting old coins as a child. Today, he owns more than 8,000 pieces, some dating back 200 to 500 years.

Kamal’s collection includes rare Mughal copper coins, silver currency used during the British Raj and older punch-marked metal pieces that once circulated under kings and emperors. His stall outside the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) office in Bodh Gaya has earned him the title of “King of Old Coins and Tokens,” a reputation cemented by the tourists and collectors who regularly visit him.

🪙 Bodh Gaya’s “King of Coins”: Key Highlights

📍 Who is he?

  • Bahram Khalifa, known as Kamal, a renowned old-coin collector from Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
  • Originally from Aurangabad; now based near BTMC, Bodh Gaya.

🧾 His Collection

  • Owns 8,000+ coins ranging from 200–500 years old.
  • Includes coins from:
    • Mughal Empire
    • British Raj
    • Pre-Mughal royal eras

👑 Rare Treasures

  • 500 coins from Mughal & British periods—not for sale.
  • Mughal copper coins (Dam) and silver coins dating back to the 16th century.
  • Historic denominations such as Niski, Damri, Paula.

💰 Coin Features

  • Made of gold, silver, copper, punch-marked metal.
  • Carried images of kings, deities & royal insignia.
  • Inscriptions in Urdu and Sanskrit, revealing the era’s economy & rule.

He estimates that he owns around 500 coins from historic eras — items he refuses to sell. “These are priceless,” he says, adding that the pieces he offers for sale are mainly sourced from Delhi’s markets. The coins from his personal archive include gold, silver and copper pieces that bear royal insignia, portraits of rulers, Sanskrit or Urdu inscriptions and symbols that reveal much about an empire’s economy and theology.

Many of the Mughal copper coins still show dates from the 16th century. Kamal explains that during Akbar’s reign, denominations such as the Dam, Niski, Damri and Paula were widely used. “These coins had the Kalima, the year, the mint name, and the ruler’s name. They were the currency of the common people,” he says.

The King of Coins: In Bodh Gaya, a collector preserves centuries-old currency

He once owned a leather coin believed to date back to the Mauryan period — an exceptional rarity — but it was misplaced years ago. “It had a hole in the middle. I still regret losing it,” he says.

Alongside his personal collection, Kamal sells a variety of old coins: Mughal copper pieces for Rs 200–Rs 500, East India Company coins for similar amounts, and smaller British Raj denominations priced between Rs 30 and Rs 50. British tourists are his most enthusiastic buyers, though he says interest from Indian collectors has grown.

The King of Coins: In Bodh Gaya, a collector preserves centuries-old currency

During peak tourist season, he earns up to Rs 5,000 a day; on quieter days, around Rs 1,000. What began as a childhood fascination is now his primary livelihood. Earlier, Kamal worked in a clothing shop in Delhi, earning Rs 4,000 a month — yet he would still save Rs 500 to buy coins. A friend eventually persuaded him to turn his passion into a profession.

He recalls watching coin sellers outside Delhi’s Red Fort and realising that his own long-nurtured hobby could become a sustainable trade. Today, Kamal’s stall remains a small but significant cultural marker in Bodh Gaya, offering a tactile link to India’s past — one coin at a time.

Tags: BiharBihar NewsBodhgayaCoinsGaya

Related Posts

Nitish Kumar Meets Samrat Choudhary for First Time Since Leadership Change in Bihar
Bihar

Nitish Kumar Meets Samrat Choudhary for First Time Since Leadership Change in Bihar

April 18, 2026
Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS
Bihar

Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

April 18, 2026
Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever
Bihar

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

April 18, 2026
Next Post
Patna Among 10 Bihar Cities Breathing ‘Poor’ Air as Pollution Levels Spike Again

Patna Among 10 Bihar Cities Breathing ‘Poor’ Air as Pollution Levels Spike Again

Horoscope for February 21: Virgos Advised to Avoid Disputes and New Ventures Amid Mixed Fortunes for Other Zodiac Signs

Horoscope for December 10: Cancer May Miss Desired Results Today, Caution Advised

Bar-Headed Goose ‘Gagan’ Returns to Bihar from Tibet’s Namkuo Lake, Completing a Remarkable Himalayan Migration at 5,220 Metres

Bar-Headed Goose ‘Gagan’ Returns to Bihar from Tibet’s Namkuo Lake, Completing a Remarkable Himalayan Migration at 5,220 Metres

Instagram

  • Bihar tightens school rules: student attendance must now be recorded in the first period only. Late entries will be treated as fraud, with strict action against teachers. Move aims to ensure transparency in Mid-Day Meal distribution.

#Bihar #Education #SchoolRules #Attendance #MidDayMeal #Transparency #IndiaNews
  • New Ganga bridge project near Patna faces delay, with only 70% work completed in 5 years; deadline now extended to 2027. The project aims to ease traffic congestion between Patna and Hajipur.

#Hajipur #BiharNews #Infrastructure #GangaBridge #Development #TrafficUpdate
  • The Bihar Government opens 300+ nurseries and 60 farms to private players under the PPP model to ensure affordable, high-quality seeds for farmers and reduce dependency on other states.

#BiharNews #Agriculture #SeedProduction #Farmers #PPPModel #SelfReliance #AgriDevelopment #Farming #RuralDevelopment #IndiaNews
  • A day of mixed outcomes as the Moon in Aries influences emotions and decisions. While Aries, Gemini, and Libra enjoy success and positivity, signs like Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn should stay cautious. Patience and mindful choices will be key today.

#DailyHoroscope #ZodiacSigns #AstrologyToday #HoroscopeUpdate #StarSigns #AstrologyInsights #April18 #PositiveVibes #StayBalanced
  • Vigilance officials conducted multi-location raids in Patna after booking an executive engineer for allegedly possessing assets worth Rs 1.1 crore beyond known income. Investigation is underway.

#BiharNews #Patna #VigilanceRaid #CorruptionCase #BreakingNews #IndiaNews #CrimeNews #BiharPolice #SVU
  • A new Vande Bharat Express between Darbhanga and Varanasi is under consideration, with Indian Railways evaluating routes via Muzaffarpur and Patna to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time.

#VandeBharat #IndianRailways #BiharNews #UttarPradesh #Darbhanga #Varanasi #RailUpdate #Connectivity #Infrastructure #IndiaTransport
  • Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was seen declining to wear a skullcap offered to him at a public event. In the clip, he gently stops the person, takes the cap, and moves it aside—without any visible altercation.
⏱️ The moment comes within 48 hours of his swearing-in, sparking conversations about his political messaging and leadership style.
💬 Supporters call it a clear ideological signal. Critics see it as symbolic politics.

#Bihar #BiharPolitics #SamratChoudhary #BiharNews
  • Hot and dry conditions continue in Patna, while districts like Araria, Kishanganj, and Supaul may witness light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in the next 24 hours. Residents advised to stay cautious amid rising temperatures and sudden weather changes.

#BiharWeather #PatnaWeather #WeatherUpdate #ThunderstormAlert #HeatWave #IMD #RainAlert #StaySafe
  • Late-night police raid at Beur Jail, Patna under the leadership of City SP Bhanu Pratap Singh. Intensive search operation conducted with multiple DSPs, police teams, and BMP personnel under the supervision of Patna Sadar SDO.

#Patna #BeurJail #PoliceRaid #LawAndOrder #BiharNews
Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

by Lakshita Kashyap
April 18, 2026
0

The Bihar government is preparing to roll out an AI-enabled traffic management system using facial recognition cameras to automate fines,...

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

by Aditi Srivastava
April 18, 2026
0

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will automatically delete messages after they are read, giving users more control...

Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

by Aditi Srivastava
April 18, 2026
0

Bihar introduces stricter attendance rules in schools, linking it directly to mid-day meals and warning teachers of disciplinary action for...

Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

by Staff Reporter
April 18, 2026
0

A new Vande Bharat Express between Darbhanga and Varanasi is under consideration, with officials evaluating two possible routes.

Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS
Bihar

Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

by Lakshita Kashyap
April 18, 2026
0

The Bihar government is preparing to roll out an AI-enabled traffic management system using facial recognition cameras to automate fines,...

Read moreDetails
Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

April 18, 2026
Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

April 18, 2026
Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

April 18, 2026
Patna Metro Picks Up Speed as Officials Inspect Underground Tunnels Across Key Corridor

Patna Metro Picks Up Speed as Officials Inspect Underground Tunnels Across Key Corridor

April 18, 2026

Recent Posts

  • Nitish Kumar Meets Samrat Choudhary for First Time Since Leadership Change in Bihar
  • Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS
  • Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever
  • Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses
  • Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review
Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS

by Lakshita Kashyap
April 18, 2026
0

The Bihar government is preparing to roll out an AI-enabled traffic management system using facial recognition cameras to automate fines,...

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever

by Aditi Srivastava
April 18, 2026
0

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will automatically delete messages after they are read, giving users more control...

Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

Bihar Government Tightens School Rules: First-Period Attendance Now Mandatory, Strict Action Warned for Lapses

by Aditi Srivastava
April 18, 2026
0

Bihar introduces stricter attendance rules in schools, linking it directly to mid-day meals and warning teachers of disciplinary action for...

Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

Railways Plans New Vande Bharat Between Bihar And UP; Routes Under Review

by Staff Reporter
April 18, 2026
0

A new Vande Bharat Express between Darbhanga and Varanasi is under consideration, with officials evaluating two possible routes.

Recent News

  • Nitish Kumar Meets Samrat Choudhary for First Time Since Leadership Change in Bihar
  • Bihar Government to Introduce AI Traffic System with Facial Recognition Cameras and Stricter Surveillance Under ITMS
  • Read It and It’s Gone: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Could Change How You Message Forever
  • Home
  • Patna
  • Bihar
  • Politics
  • Campus Buzz
  • Crime
  • Nation
  • World
  • Infra
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About us

© 2026 PatnaPress.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Patna
  • Bihar
  • Politics
  • Campus Buzz
  • Crime
  • Nation
  • World
  • Infra
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About us

© 2026 PatnaPress.com