NRB begins sale of gold, silver coins

Nepal Rastra Bank has started selling gold coins (asarfi) and silver medallion coins from Sunday targeting the upcoming Tihar festival.

The Mint Division of Nepal Rastra Bank has started the sale of 10-gram and 25-gram silver coins and 2.5-, 5- and 10-gram gold coins. It has been arranged that a person can buy only one set of gold coins, according to the NRB.

According to the central bank, the price of 2.5-gram gold coin is Rs. 25,592, 5-gram coin is Rs. 51,183 and 10-gram coin is Rs. 102,365.

Similarly, the price of a 10-gram coin has been fixed at Rs. 1,600 and while that of 25-gram coin is Rs. 4,000. The 10-gram silver coin has the image of Laxmi, Ganesh and Gajalaxmi and the national animal cow on it, while the 25-gram coin has the cow on it. According to the NRB, the gold and silver coins will be sold and distributed until Friday. People can purchase coins with cash and through QR payment, said the NRB. The Mint Division under the NRB has been transferred from Sundhara to the premises of Nepal Aushadhi Limited at Babarmahal and has started the minting work by repairing the old machines almost a year ago. Minting of gold coins (asharfi) and commemorative coins was affected for almost two-and-a-half years due to lack of office space in the division. Its previous office located at Sundhara was demolished for the reconstruction of the Dharahara tower. With the technical assistance of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, all the machines worth millions of rupees affected by rust, quake and disuse were repaired and maintained.