India 1-NAYA-PAISA (KM8)

Asiatic lions (aka Indian Lion, Persian Lion, Panthera leo persica) are a sub-species of lion that exist in a single population in India's Gujarat state. The image of the four Asiatic lions standing back to back are from the Ashoka Lion Capital (column top) dating back to around 250 BCE. This image of the capital was adopted as the official Emblem of India in 1950.

In 1957, India decimalized the rupee, and this well-used coin is the first coin in the series (minted from 1957 to 1962). Starting in 1962 it was replaced by a nickel-brass version.