A cow with an error from the Himalayas

Nepal

Nepal’s history is a vivid tapestry of cultural evolution, political struggles, and resilience.

(The mountains in Nepal. From vin.org.np)

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by India to the south, east, and west, and China (Tibet) to the north. This unique geographical setting has significantly influenced the history of Nepal. The dramatic topographical diversity—from the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest, to the sprawling, fertile Terai plains—has shaped settlement patterns, cultural evolution, and historical events.

The prehistoric era in Nepal is characterized by the presence of hunter-gatherer communities thousands of years ago, who gradually transitioned to settled agricultural societies. Artifacts such as stone tools, pottery, and early art forms discovered in regions like the Kathmandu Valley and Terai offer a glimpse into these ancient times. Artifacts such as ancient inscriptions and ceremonial objects date back to the Neolithic period (7,000 – 1,700 BC).

Little is known about the Gopalas and Mahishapalas, but they are considered among the first rulers in the Kathmandu Valley. These dynasties laid the early administrative and cultural groundwork for a complex society. Their reigns are believed to have contributed to the development of early religious and social practices that continue to influence the history of Nepali culture. The Kiranti dynasty is estimated to have risen around the 7th or 8th century BC. 

The Lichhavi period is one of the most celebrated eras in Nepali history. The Lichhavis, believed to have migrated from northern India, established themselves as the dominant power in the Kathmandu Valley around 300 AD. The Licchavi era witnessed a renaissance in art and literature. The patronage of the arts during this period significantly enriched the history of Nepali culture. This period lasted until 879 AD.

(A painting showing a Nepalese city during the Malla dynasty. From vin.org.np).

The Malla Dynasty lasted from the 12th to the 18th Century, and is considered a golden age of Nepal. This period was characterized by artistic brilliance, urban development, and cultural exuberance. 

In the 18th century, the Shah dynasty reshaped the nation, consolidating numerous small kingdoms into a unified entity. One reform of this dynasty was the installation of a monarch, which lasted until 2008.

Following a violent coup d’etat known as the Kot Massacre in 1846, Jung Bahadur Rana seized power, forming the Rana oligarchy, which lasted a century. During this time, the country still had a king, however he was not able to directly rule.

Following reforms in other nearby countries, including China and India, in late 1950, the King and his family were evacuated to India. At the same time, the Nepali Congress conducted an armed revolution for about three months. Finally, King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal with his family and, on February 18, 1951, announced the formation of a new government – a coalition of the Rana and the Nepali Congress leaders.

The country became a democracy, with the first elections held in 1959. The formation of this democracy was unstable and changing, and it wasn’t until 2008 that the country officially became a Federal Democratic Republic.

Obverse

The obverse of the coin contains a Trident with sun and moon flanking above Himalayas. The country, date and ruler are below this.

Nepalese calendar

Nepali calendar also called Nepali Patro is a traditional luni-solar calendar used in Nepal for cultural and religious purposes. Known as the Bikram Sambat Calendar, it is based on the Hindu calendar system and serves as the official calendar of Nepal. The Nepali Calendar consists of 12 months, each with a varying number of days, changing from year to year, and ranging from 29 days to 32 days.

One of the unique features of the Nepali Calendar is that it is 56 years and 8½ months ahead of the Gregorian calendar. The Nepali Calendar follows a detailed Nepali panchang to list important festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Teej, Chhath, Lhosar, and Eid.

This is the same calendar system used in India and known there as Vikram Sambat.

So, today’s coin, issued in 1970, is actually dated 2027, which seems fascinating as I write this post in 2026 (in the Gregorian calendar).

Reverse

At the top of the reverse is “Shri Bhavani”, in Devnagari. Shri Bhavani (or Bhavani Mata) is a revered Hindu goddess, primarily worshipped in Maharashtra as a form of the Divine Mother Durga or Parvati, symbolizing the “giver of life” and creative power.

In the centre, facing left, is a cow, with the denomination “5 Panch Paisa” in Devnagari below. The cow is sacred to Hindus, who make up 80% of the population in Nepal. The cow is the national animal of Nepal, and it is illegal to kill them. The animal is actually the cow-like Himalayan serow, also known as “dhreka” in Nepali. This animal is native to the Himalayas and can be found in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China. The Himalayan serow is a medium-sized ungulate with a stocky build and a coarse reddish-brown coat. It has a short tail and a distinctive beard, which is more prominent in males. Himalayan serows are herbivores and feed on leaves, grass, and shrubs. They are primarily active during the day and prefer to live in rugged terrain and dense forests.

(Himalayan Serow (Capricornis thar) from WildDocu.de).

Error coin

The coin has a double rim, visible for part of both the obverse and the reverse. While I couldn’t find any definitive references, a Google search suggests that it is not particularly uncommon on a coin like this, and prices on eBay, even where such an error is declared, and the coin is in better condition than mine, are still only a few dollars, which indicates such errors are not rare.

What is your favourite error coin? Let us know below or send us a picture.