Hyderabad: The jingle-jangle of coins may be music to the ears of many, but its coins dating back centuries or those minted from two metals or even those sporting printing mistakes that bring a glint to the eye of this Hyderabad-based coin collector.
With an eye for detail and a passion that transcends time, this Hyderabadi numismatist has spun his love for coins into a record-busting legacy, becoming the first from the two Telugu states to secure not one but three Guinness World Records.
Sankara Rao Kondapaneni has amassed treasures that speak volumes about his unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Be it bi-metallic coins from India or countries like Sri Lanka, Turkey, Argentina, and Kenya, to name a few, his collection includes an astonishing 3,526 bi-metallic coins, a feat that earned him a record, and an unparalleled 7,369 error coins (coins that have been minted by mistake) —earning him two more Guinness titles.
Kondapaneni bagged his first Guinness World Record in August 2023 for his collection of 1,578 coins with printing errors and followed this up with his second record in January 2024 for his collection of 3,526 coins issued on special occasions by various countries and states. He achieved a hat-trick in March 2024 for collecting 7,369 coins with printing errors.
Each coin in his collection tells a story of perseverance, curiosity, and an eye for the extraordinary. Reflecting on the roots of his unique passion, Rao, a resident of Ibrahimpatnam, credits his love for coins to his friendships with senior citizens during his youth. “In my twenties, I often spent time with elderly people as I found people my age boring. It is they who introduced me to this fascinating world. Since my college days, I’ve been collecting coins without spending a single penny,” he recalls with a smile. “It started as a simple curiosity but soon became a lifelong pursuit.”
Over the years, Rao built his collection through exchanges with fellow numismatists, visiting exhibitions, and saving whatever he managed to get his hands on a day-to-day basis. “When we have duplicates, we trade them for coins we don’t have. This network has been instrumental in building my record-breaking collection,” he explains.
Each bi-metallic coin in his trove, he adds, carries a story of its own, representing diverse cultures, historical milestones, and natural wonders from across the globe. “The intricate designs and rich symbolism of these coins remind me of the beauty and complexity of human history,” he says.
Rao’s collection spans centuries, featuring coins from the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta empires, alongside treasures from the Portuguese and British colonial eras. “Coins are an invaluable window into our history,” he said, gesturing toward stacks of meticulously organised albums at his residence. Each coin is neatly labelled with details such as its type of error, year, and country of origin, reflecting his methodical approach to preserving these pieces of history.
When the pandemic brought life to a standstill, Rao found solace and purpose in his passion, spending the days organising his collection, which was lying in an unorganised manner until then.
“I used the time to streamline my collection and create detailed albums,” he says. “This hobby didn’t just keep me grounded—it engaged my entire family, helping us stay oblivious to the chaos around us. It gave us a sense of shared purpose in a time of uncertainty.”
It was also during the pandemic that the 60-year-old researched how to apply for a Guinness record and took steps meticulously to meet all requirements.
Rao hopes that his achievements will inspire others to embrace numismatics and other hobbies that celebrate history. He also urges the govt to recognise the efforts of Guinness World Record holders like him with financial incentives.
“Only one person in the world can hold a Guinness World Record like this,” he points out. “If the govt can reward sportspersons for winning medals, why not extend similar support to record-holders? Doing so could inspire younger generations to pick up hobbies that preserve and celebrate our history.”
Looking ahead, Rao, who has his roots in Andhra Pradesh, plans to continue expanding his collection, focusing on rare coins that reflect the evolving history of civilisations. “Every coin has a story to tell, and I’m eager to uncover as many as I can,” he says, his passion as strong and vibrant as the coins he cherishes.
After cementing his legacy in the world of coins, Rao has set his sights on another challenge: building a record-breaking stamp collection. “I’ve always been fascinated by stamps and the stories they tell. This is a new pursuit, and I’m excited to explore it with the same dedication and enthusiasm,” he says.
With an eye for detail and a passion that transcends time, this Hyderabadi numismatist has spun his love for coins into a record-busting legacy, becoming the first from the two Telugu states to secure not one but three Guinness World Records.
Sankara Rao Kondapaneni has amassed treasures that speak volumes about his unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Be it bi-metallic coins from India or countries like Sri Lanka, Turkey, Argentina, and Kenya, to name a few, his collection includes an astonishing 3,526 bi-metallic coins, a feat that earned him a record, and an unparalleled 7,369 error coins (coins that have been minted by mistake) —earning him two more Guinness titles.
Kondapaneni bagged his first Guinness World Record in August 2023 for his collection of 1,578 coins with printing errors and followed this up with his second record in January 2024 for his collection of 3,526 coins issued on special occasions by various countries and states. He achieved a hat-trick in March 2024 for collecting 7,369 coins with printing errors.
Each coin in his collection tells a story of perseverance, curiosity, and an eye for the extraordinary. Reflecting on the roots of his unique passion, Rao, a resident of Ibrahimpatnam, credits his love for coins to his friendships with senior citizens during his youth. “In my twenties, I often spent time with elderly people as I found people my age boring. It is they who introduced me to this fascinating world. Since my college days, I’ve been collecting coins without spending a single penny,” he recalls with a smile. “It started as a simple curiosity but soon became a lifelong pursuit.”
Over the years, Rao built his collection through exchanges with fellow numismatists, visiting exhibitions, and saving whatever he managed to get his hands on a day-to-day basis. “When we have duplicates, we trade them for coins we don’t have. This network has been instrumental in building my record-breaking collection,” he explains.
Each bi-metallic coin in his trove, he adds, carries a story of its own, representing diverse cultures, historical milestones, and natural wonders from across the globe. “The intricate designs and rich symbolism of these coins remind me of the beauty and complexity of human history,” he says.
Rao’s collection spans centuries, featuring coins from the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta empires, alongside treasures from the Portuguese and British colonial eras. “Coins are an invaluable window into our history,” he said, gesturing toward stacks of meticulously organised albums at his residence. Each coin is neatly labelled with details such as its type of error, year, and country of origin, reflecting his methodical approach to preserving these pieces of history.
When the pandemic brought life to a standstill, Rao found solace and purpose in his passion, spending the days organising his collection, which was lying in an unorganised manner until then.
“I used the time to streamline my collection and create detailed albums,” he says. “This hobby didn’t just keep me grounded—it engaged my entire family, helping us stay oblivious to the chaos around us. It gave us a sense of shared purpose in a time of uncertainty.”
It was also during the pandemic that the 60-year-old researched how to apply for a Guinness record and took steps meticulously to meet all requirements.
Rao hopes that his achievements will inspire others to embrace numismatics and other hobbies that celebrate history. He also urges the govt to recognise the efforts of Guinness World Record holders like him with financial incentives.
“Only one person in the world can hold a Guinness World Record like this,” he points out. “If the govt can reward sportspersons for winning medals, why not extend similar support to record-holders? Doing so could inspire younger generations to pick up hobbies that preserve and celebrate our history.”
Looking ahead, Rao, who has his roots in Andhra Pradesh, plans to continue expanding his collection, focusing on rare coins that reflect the evolving history of civilisations. “Every coin has a story to tell, and I’m eager to uncover as many as I can,” he says, his passion as strong and vibrant as the coins he cherishes.
After cementing his legacy in the world of coins, Rao has set his sights on another challenge: building a record-breaking stamp collection. “I’ve always been fascinated by stamps and the stories they tell. This is a new pursuit, and I’m excited to explore it with the same dedication and enthusiasm,” he says.
