Where have Rs 10 coins disappeared?

Launched with much fanfare as an alternative to paper currency, the 8-gm coin with golden rim is hard to find in the market place.

Experts have different opinions on the matter. While some say that since the dual-metal coin resembles the euro, people often keep it as a souvenir, others are of the view that Rs 10-coins becoming popular is just a matter of time.

Canara Bank's senior official Raj Kumar said: "The (Rs 10) coins have not become popular as people prefer to carry the note which is available in abundance."

He added that the demand of Re 1 and Rs 2 coins is more as the currency notes of the same value are either not available or if available are in a poor condition. "Similar is the case with Rs 5 coins," Kumar said.

When contacted, an RBI official said that there is enough supply of Rs 10 coins in the market. Like other coins, with time Rs 10 coin will become popular too.