History of coins: Sumukh kulkarni

History of design: Coins of India 

India has been one of the earliest issuers of coins in the world and has been known for its sheer diversity in terms of minting techniques, motifs, sizes, shapes, the metal used etc. The coinage of India has played a very important role in the history of economic development of the country ever since its inception.

The motifs, symbols, stamp used in the Indian coins since ancient times depict a lot about the rulers and their reign. Many archaeologists and explorers have done a deep analysis of these ancient Indian coins. This study of coins is known as Numismatics.

Before the introduction of coins, buying or selling of products was done through the Barter system.

Coins solved the issues associated with the barter system and precious metal

were shaped, printed and stamped as a legal method of trading.

The earliest known coins of India were silver punch- marked ones, bearing a design and were circulated in the Janapadas The punch- marked coins can be further classified into four categories- Taxila- Gandhara type, kosala type, avanti type, magadhan type 

With time and over the centuries, different metals were being used to make coins. Each of these would be made using different methods, shaped differently with unique marks and designs. 

Through the excavation held at cities from the Indus Valley Civilization held at cities from the Indus valley civilisation (Mohenjo- Daro and Harappa), seals were found. However, there was no confirmation if these seals were used as coins or not.

 

Since the ancient era, coins in India have depicted the kings, gods, goddesses, and other motifs while medieval ones issued by kings in North India bear inscription in Arabic or Persian and the ones in South India depict beautiful motifs coupled with legends.

The motifs on these coins depicted a lot about the culture, social, architecture and economical state of the different rules and dynasties that ruled over India.

Coinage in India evolved over the years in terms of its shapes, sizes, value, motifs and material. Initially, valuable metals were used to make coins but in the present day, post- independence coins are made out of mixed metals in the form of token currency. 

Sumukh kulkarni 

Link- https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/coinage-of-india/

         https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coinage_of_India

          https://www.clearias.com/coinage-of-india/