Bangladesh 5 Taka Coin (Exhumed/Holed) featuring National Martyrs' Monument
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Coinage converted for jewelry/utility) · Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh), minted at the Bangladesh Power Plant and Mint.
Pattern: Standard Circulation Coinage, Bangabandhu Bridge/National Martyrs' Memorial series.
Type
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Coinage converted for jewelry/utility)
Maker
Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh), minted at the Bangladesh Power Plant and Mint.
Material
Cupro-Nickel (Copper and Nickel alloy). Note: Circulation 5 Taka coins in Bangladesh are NOT made of silver; they have a silver-colored appearance due to high nickel content.
Dimensions
Standard 28mm diameter; roughly 8 grams. Includes a rudimentary drilled hole for suspension.
Description
This is a base-metal (Cupro-Nickel) 5 Taka coin from Bangladesh. It features a bold depiction of the National Martyrs' Monument in Savar, which commemorates those who gave their lives in the 1971 Liberation War. The coin has a distinct 12-lobed scalloped border and has been roughly modified with a puncture hole near the top, likely for use as a piece of folk jewelry or a lucky charm. Despite its silver-colored appearance, it is a standard circulation piece of modest value.
Key Features
Scalloped 12-sided rim; Bengali script; Image of the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho; Cupro-nickel 'silver' luster; Aftermarket suspension hole.
Material & Composition
Cupro-Nickel (Copper and Nickel alloy). Note: Circulation 5 Taka coins in Bangladesh are NOT made of silver; they have a silver-colored appearance due to high nickel content.
Finish & Decoration
Die-struck with a scalloped edge (12-sided or decagonal). Features the National Martyrs' Monument (Jatiyo Smriti Soudho) on the obverse and stylized text/denomination.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Bengali script for 'Five Taka' and the date (visible as 1994 or early 2000s variant). No silver hallmarks are present because the item is a base-metal circulation coin.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck minting; subsequently modified with a hand-drilled or punched hole at the 12 o'clock position for use as a pendant or charm.
Functional Features
Originally legal tender; currently modified into a decorative pendant or token. The scalloped edges were designed to help visually impaired individuals identify the denomination.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable as it is a coin; however, the drilled hole indicates it was attached to a cord, chain, or textile.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial strike. The modification (the hole) is crude and lacks professional jewelry-making refinement, suggesting home-made or local market origin.
Authentication Indicators
Design matches official Bangladesh Bank currency specifications for the era; wear patterns consistent with circulation and subsequent use as a talisman.
Origin & Manufacturing
Bangladesh; minted for the Bangladesh Bank. A product of state-run industrial manufacturing.
Era & Period
Modern / Contemporary Period (Post-1971 Independence Bangladesh). Design reflects late 20th-century Asian numismatic styles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1994-2005 based on the specific 5 Taka design and scalloped edge configuration.
Cultural Significance
Represents the national identity and liberation struggle of Bangladesh. Coins are frequently holed in South Asian cultures to be worn as protective amulets or necklaces for children.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant surface wear, localized oxidation, and heavy mechanical damage from the amateur drilling/punching. The luster is dulled by handling and environmental exposure.
Value Estimate
Nominal value (approx. $0.05 - $1.00 USD). The damage from the hole removes any numismatic premium, and its value is largely sentimental or as a curiosity.
Care & Maintenance
Minimal cleaning needed; warm soapy water is sufficient. As it is not silver, silver polish is unnecessary and may damage the nickel plating/alloy surface.
Similar Pieces
Indian 2 Rupee coins (octagonal), Pakistani 5 Rupee coins, and other Commonwealth-inspired scalloped coinage often confused with silver due to high nickel content.
Interesting Facts
The monument depicted on the coin consists of seven pairs of triangular-shaped walls representing seven different stages in the history of Bangladesh’s independence movement.