Ancient coins can be found on ground as well as unearthed by diggings. They were made of metals like copper, silver, gold, lead, potin. As they are legal tendor, coins provide important economic history. Coins give us information about some chronological issues as well. The areas where they are found indicate the extent of influence of particular ruler or kingdom and its relations with distant areas. For example, Roman coins discovered in India give us an idea about the existence of contacts with the Roman Empire.
Cowries were also used as coins however, their purchasing power was very low as compare to silver or gold or other kind of coins. They appear in substantial numbers in post-Gupta times, but may have been used earlier.
Coins helped transactions on a large scale and contributed to trade; and so speak about the economic situation of a particular period. For example, in case of India, largest number of coins dated to post-Maurya period. These coins were made of lead, potin, copper, bronze, silver and gold. The Gupta's issued largest number of Gold Coins. All this indicates that the trade and commerce flourished, especially in post-Maurya period and in a good part of Gupta period. However, only a few coins belonging to post-Gupta period have been found, which indicates a decline of trade and commerce in later period.
Earliest coins contain a few symbols, but later coins depict the figures of kings and divinities and also mention their names and dates. As figures of kings along with their name and dates tell us about period of their region; the areas where these coins are found indicating region of its circulation. This enable historian to reconstruct history of several ruling dynasties.
Portray of kings, God's, religious symbols and legends; all of these throws light on the art and religion of that time.
Some coins were also issued by Guilds of Merchants and goldsmiths with the permission of rulers. This shows that crafts and commerce had become important.
A large number of coins are preserved in museums all of the World. For example, Indian coins are preserved in museums at Calcutta, Patna, Lucknow, Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Chennai. Many Indian coins are found in the museums of Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Indian coins catalogue is also available in all over the World like in British Museum of London.
The punch marked coins are the earliest coins of India, also known as Aahat coins. The coinage of the Mauryan Empire was an example of the punch-marked coinage of Magadha.
The Samudragupta's Aswamedha coins, Lion-slayer coins give us an idea of Samudragupta's ambition and love of hunting.
Next Article:
1. Monuments
4. Literary Sources
References
Also see:
1. Bharatvarsha
4. Literary Sources
6. Archaeology Dating Methods
