IPC 230→BNS 178

IPC 230 to BNS 178: “Coin” defined

Section 230 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 178 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 230 →View BNS Section 178 →

IPC 230 to BNS 178 at a Glance

Section 230 IPC (“Coin” defined) is now Section 178 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 230 to BNS 178?

Section 230 IPC has no stand-alone counterpart in the BNS. Its definition of coin is now clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, which gives coin the meaning in section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011, and adds that it includes metal used for the time being as money and stamped and issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power. The separate definition of Indian coin and the Illustrations are not carried over.

IPC 230 vs BNS 178: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section230178
Offence“Coin” definedSame
PunishmentNone of its own. Section 230 IPC defines coin and Indian coin, and the punishment is set by the offence sections of Chapter XII, such as Section 231 IPC on counterfeiting coin.Clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS defines coin, and counterfeiting coin under Section 178 BNS is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
FineNone of its own. Any fine is set by the offence sections of Chapter XII, such as Section 231 IPC.The offender is also liable to fine under Section 178 BNS.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 230 and BNS 178: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 230, IPC 1860

230. “Coin” defined.—Coin is metal used for the time being as money, and stamped and issued by the authority of some State or Sovereign Power in order to be so used. Indian coin.—Indian coin is metal stamped and issued by the authority of the Government of India in order to be used as money; and metal which has been so stamped and issued shall continue to be Indian coin for the purposes of this Chapter, notwithstanding that it may have ceased to be used as money. Illustrations (a) Cowries are not coin. (b) Lumps of unstamped copper, though used as money, are not coin. (c) Medals are not coin, inasmuch as they are not intended to be used as money. (d) The coin denominated as the Company's rupee is Indian coin. (e) The "Farukhabad rupee", which was formerly used as money under the authority of the Government of India, is Indian coin although it is no longer so used.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 178, BNS 2023

Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any coin, stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For the purposes of this Chapter,— (1) the expression “bank-note” means a promissory note or engagement for the payment of money to bearer on demand issued by any person carrying on the business of banking in any part of the world, or issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power, and intended to be used as equivalent to, or as a substitute for money; (2) “coin” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011 (11 of 2011) and includes metal used for the time being as money and is stamped and issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power intended to be so used; (3) a person commits the offence of “counterfeiting Government stamp” who counterfeits by causing a genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like a genuine stamp of a different denomination; (4) a person commits the offence of counterfeiting coin who intending to practise deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practised, causes a genuine coin to appear like a different coin; and (5) the offence of “counterfeiting coin” includes diminishing the weight or alteration of the composition, or alteration of the appearance of the coin.

Ingredients: IPC 230 vs BNS 178

Under IPC 230
  1. Coin is metal used for the time being as money, and stamped and issued by the authority of some State or Sovereign Power in order to be so used
  2. Indian coin is metal stamped and issued by the authority of the Government of India in order to be used as money
  3. Metal so stamped and issued continues to be Indian coin for Chapter XII notwithstanding that it may have ceased to be used as money
  4. The Illustrations say that cowries, lumps of unstamped copper even if used as money, and medals are not coin, and that the Company rupee and the Farukhabad rupee are Indian coin
Under BNS 178
  1. Coin defined in clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS
  2. Meaning taken from section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011
  3. Includes metal used for the time being as money and stamped and issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power
  4. No separate definition of Indian coin and no Illustrations

What IPC 230 to BNS 178 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 230 IPC (now Section 178 BNS): for an act done after the BNS came into force, whether an item is coin is decided under clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, read with section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011.

FAQs: IPC 230 to BNS 178

What changed when Section 230 IPC became Section 178 BNS?▼

Section 230 IPC was a stand-alone definition of coin and Indian coin. In the BNS, coin is defined in clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, by reference to section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011, and includes metal used for the time being as money and stamped and issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power. The BNS keeps neither the separate definition of Indian coin nor the Illustrations.

Where does Section 230 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In clause 2 of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, in Chapter X, Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes, and Government Stamps.

Does Section 230 IPC or Section 178 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 230 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 230 IPC. Section 178 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·