Srinagar, March 24 The 50 paisa coins are no longer in circulation, but one such coin fetched Rs 17,000 at an auction held here on Tuesday as part of a fundraising drive for Iran, which was affected by the war.
The fundraising drive, which began on Sunday in Kashmir, continued for the third day, with emotional scenes witnessed in the Mir Behri area of Dal Lake.
A five-year-old boy donated his piggy bank towards relief efforts in the Lati Mohalla of Mir Behri. One of the coins in the piggy bank was a 50 paisa coin.
"Although a 50 paisa coin is no longer accepted in the market, the organizers put it up for auction. And what followed was a display of heartfelt support for Iran," said Nasir Ahmad, a resident of Mir Behri.
There was intense bidding for the coin, which eventually sold for Rs 17,000, offered by another local, Javaid Ahmad Sufi.
"It was a blessing that he chose me as the successful bidder," Sufi told