22nd October 2022, Kathmandu
Rastra Bank started to sell gold and silver coins on Thursday on the Dhanteras occasion of Tihar. Rastra Bank has been selling gold and silver coins throughout the year as per the demand.
The gold coins are also known as Asarfi. Asarfi is not a currency in circulation even though it is in the form of coins. You cannot buy goods or spend as needed with Asarfi.
Gold is melted and made into Asarfi. The gold used to make Asarafi belongs to the nation. Gold collected through various means is kept in Rashtra Bank’s vault. Asarfi is made by melting the same gold.
Till two years ago, Rashtra Bank’s tax department was housed in an old house in Sundhara. Gold coins of various sizes and designs were minted there. The place has now been shifted to the Drug Management Department premises at Babbarbahal. Coins are now sold from there.
The designs and sizes of the Asarfi vary. Rastra Bank has been making three types of Asarfi, 2 and a half, 5, and 10 grams of gold.
According to the Rastra Bank, the demand for 2.5 grams of Asarfi is high in the market. Even though they are Asarfi coins, they do not have value marked on them. On one side of the coin is “Asarfi Nepal” and on the other side is Nepal Rastra Bank and the date.
The price of Asarfi is determined by adding the production cost to the market price of gold. Unaffiliated individuals or organizations can both purchase. When selling gold to individuals, the Rastra Bank sets the daily price by adding 200 rupees per gram to the prevailing market price of gold. However, in the case of institutions, 300 rupees per gram will be added, the National Bank has said.
One can buy Asarfi from Rashtra Bank just like buying gold jewelry in the market. In the market, gold and silver shops also sell Asarfi. But since the National Bank is a government body, one can be confident about the quality. Therefore, common people prefer to buy Asarfi from Rshatra Bank.
Rastra Bank will sell those coins from the Taksar Department in Kathmandu Babarmahal. The Bank says that since there is a high demand for Asarfi during Dhanteras, preparations are being made to sell Asarfi and silver coins efficiently. It is said that 2 and a half grams, 5 grams, and 10 grams each will be distributed.