A series of questions on history, architecture, archaeology, sculptures and paintings with an in-depth understanding of the subjects are definitely not expected from a 13-year-old, right? But expect the unexpected from Vignesh.
His interest in history and geography triggered his passion to become a numismatist two years ago.
The beginning
Though interested in coin and stamp collection, Vignesh became desperate and started searching for coins soon after witnessing his friend's collection.
Initially, Vignesh collected dollars as his family came to Tamil Nadu after a brief stint in the US. “I was so excited that I spoke only about coins and currencies wherever I went and whomever I met,” he says.
With support from father Krishnamurthy, a practising chartered accountant and mother Kala Krishnamurthy, a doctor, working in a clinical research organisation, Vignesh soon had a collection of coins and currencies of 100 countries approximately.
Rare collection
He also has some rare coins such as those not in circulation, currencies from Turkey, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, and Indonesia. He has collected coins belonging to Raja Raja Chola (945 A.D.) and Pudukkottai kingdom-princely state, besides antique coins like “otta kalana” and Sri Lankan British rule coin of King George VI and VII.
“It is interesting and exciting to collect details and discuss their time of issue and their value then and now,” he says and adds that it is fun to find out the metal used in making of coins like gold, silver, copper and lead.
Now Vignesh is in Std. VII in a school in Chennai.
Earlier, he was a student of Dolphin Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Madurai. Every year he brings his collection in big suitcases to showcase them to his friends in Madurai.
Presently, he is working on his blog and plans to hold an exhibition of his collection.