The Ministry of Finance has announced a special 75 commemorative silver coin to mark two major milestones related to the Somnath Temple — 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the temple and 75 years of its reconstruction.
The notification was issued through an Extraordinary Gazette on May 8, 2026. The commemorative coin will be released under the provisions of the Coinage Act, 2011, and will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the notification, the ₹75 coin will be circular in shape with a diameter of 44 millimetres and 200 serrations along the edge. It will be made of 99.9 per cent pure silver and weigh 40 grams, with only a slight permissible variation.
The front side of the coin will feature the Lion Capital of Ashoka along with the inscription “Satyameva Jayate.” The words “भारत” and “INDIA” will appear on either side, while the rupee symbol and denomination “75” will be displayed below the emblem.
The reverse side will carry an image of the Somnath Temple along with inscriptions in Hindi and English celebrating “1,000 years of India’s unwavering faith and devotion.” The words “Somnath Mandir, Gujarat” and the year “2026” will also be engraved on the coin.
Located in Prabhas Patan in Gir Somnath district, the Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds immense religious importance. Over centuries, the temple has become a symbol of resilience due to repeated invasions and reconstructions.
The present temple structure was rebuilt after Independence under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister. The reconstruction was completed in the early 1950s, making 2026 the 75th year of its rebuilding.