50 Paisa - Birendra Bir Bikram Coronation

Struck to mark the coronation of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on February 24, 1975 — though dated 1974 in the Bikram Sambat calendar used on Nepali coinage — this issue was one of several denominations released as a commemorative set for the occasion. Birendra had technically ascended the throne in January 1972 following his father Mahendra's death, but the formal coronation was delayed three years, partly due to astrological consultation required under Nepali royal tradition.

Copper-nickel replaced the older cupro-nickel and silver compositions for such issues as Nepal's mint relationships shifted toward the Royal Mint and later the Royal Australian Mint through this period.