Coin, Statue to Mark Mother Teresa’s Sainthood

Mother Teresa, (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Albania) and known in the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta was honored by a postal cover, coin and statue on September 2, two days prior to being declared a saint by the Vatican. It is important to note that the Vatican needs proof of at least two miracles top declare someone as Saint.  India Post released a special postal and numismatic cover of Mother Teresa, the first of its kind and made of pure silk. Eminent philatelist Alok K Goyal, who designed the stamps, said that a five rupee coin issued by the Indian Government in 2010 to honour the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be engraved on the cover. Only 1,000 such coins will be issued by the government.  Besides India, Romania (birthplace of the Roman Catholic nun) has also announced to release a special gold-plated silver in her memory. 5,000 coins, with each valuing 100 Macedonian Denars. The coin carrying Latin inscription "Sancta Teresia de Calcutta" (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) has the picture of saint inscribed with her trademark white saree with blue borders.

To mark Mother Teresa’s sainthood ceremony in Vatican on September 4, a postal cover, coin and statue will be dedicated to the late Roman Catholic Nun.

Indian Post will release first of its kind, unique postal and numismatic cover of Mother Teresa made of pure silk on September 2.

Eminent philatelist Alok K Goyal, who has designed the stamps, stated that “A five-rupee commemorative coin issued by the Indian government in 2010 to mark the centenary birth celebration of the legend will be engraved on the cover. This is a special feature as it combines the two collectible items of coins and stamps”.

1,000 pieces a limited edition will be released of this collectors’ item. In addition to this Republic of Macedonia, where Mother Teresa was born in 1910, has also declared to release an exceptional silver coin on the Nobel laureate next month. The face value of this coin will be of 100 Macedonian Denars.

The Church will declare Mother Teresa as a saint on September 4, which has acknowledged two miracles she was said to have carried out after her death in 1997. Macedonia has also declared that they will mark the affirmation of Mother Teresa as a saint.

Mother Teresa for her selfless service for the poor and the destitute of the society has so received 124 awards and distinctions, including Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the nation and Nobel Prize.