Indian Coinage
Coinage of India, issued by Imperial dynasties and smaller middle kingdoms of India began during the 1st millennium BC, and consisted mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. Scholars remain divided over the origins of Indian coinage. What is known, however, is that metal currency was minted in India well before the Mauryan empire (322–185 BC), and as radio carbon dating indicates, before the 5th century BC.
The tradition of Indian coinage was further enriched by the coming of Islam. The East India Company introduced uniform coinage in the 19th century, and these coins were later imitated by the modern nation states of Republic of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Numismatics plays a valuable role in determining certain period of Indian history.
Read more about Indian Coinage: Post Maha Janapadas Period (400 BC—200 AD), Early Common Era—Middle Ages (200 AD—1300 AD), Late Middle Ages—Contemporary History (1300 AD—2000 AD)
Famous quotes containing the words indian and/or coinage:
“Ha ha! ha ha! This world doth pass
Most merrily I’ll be sworn,
For many an honest Indian ass
Goes for a unicorn.”
—Unknown. Fara Diddle Dyno (l. 1–4)
“Designs in connection with postage stamps and coinage may be described, I think, as the silent ambassadors on national taste.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)