Dilip Rajgor _ Punch Marked coins

List of Maps, Figures, and Tables

Maps

1. Sixteen Mahajanapadas of Buddhist Literature, c. 550 BC

2. Distribution of Punch-marked Coin Hoards in Indian Subcontinent

3. Janapadas to whom Coins are Assigned, c. 600-300 BC

Figures

1. A Ratti-fruit from Kanheri Caves, Bombay

2. A Lump of Metal

3. A Dish of Cow-Dung

4. An Earthen Furnace

5. Molten Metal (Drop)

6. A Coin Blank (Planchet)

7. A Modern Punch

8. A Coin Blank being Stamped with a Punch

9. Droplet Coins

10. Scyphate Coins

11. A Coin with a Laminated Flan

12. A Silver-plated Copper Coin

13. Single-Die Coins

14. Punch-marked Coins

15. A Shalaka (Bent Bar) Coin

16. Restruck Coins

17. Clipped Coins

18. Main Symbols on Obverse

19. Ancillary Symbols

Tables

1. Common Lakshanas (Marks) found on Punch-marked Coins

2. Metrology of Janapada Coins

3. State Symbols of Janapadas

Identification Guide

Series Identification

• Series 12

• Series 15

• Series 18

• Series 21

• Series 23

• Series 29

• Series 33

• Series 34

• Series 36

• Series 37

• Series 48

• Series 50

• Series 53

• Series 54

• Series 58

• Series 64

• Series 68

• Series 76

• Series 82

Part I: Introduction

In pre-historic times, humans first recognized the value of items through barter, transitioning to currency and then to coinage. Currency is a medium for transactions, while coinage represents officially minted, specific metallic entities with defined weight, size, design, and legal authority. The development of coinage reflects advances in urban civilization around the first millennium BC.

The earliest coinage in the Indian subcontinent is referred to as Punch-marked coins, associated with silver coins produced using the punch-marked technique around the 6th to 4th centuries BC. Issued by various states called Janapada, these coins carried designated symbols indicative of their authority.

Janapada Overview

The term Janapada indicates a political state derived from the Sanskrit word "jana," referring to people or tribes. Each Janapada functioned as an independent political entity with its language and deities, following diverse governance forms, including monarchies (Rajya) and republics (Sangha). Important Janapadas included Kashi, Kosala, Magadha, and Avanti, each contributing to the regional dynamics during this early historic period.

Monetary History

Early Transactions

Monetary developments trace back to pre-historic barter systems using tools, livestock, or other items, evolving to agriculture-based trades in the Neolithic period using various items like cowrie shells. For Vedic societies, livestock was often a measure of wealth and served as payment.

Metal Coins

Pre-Buddhist monetary history from c. 800-600 BC shows that gold and silver started to gain prominence, paving the way for an increasing acceptance of metallic currency. This period lacked substantial archaeological evidence but suggested advances in monetary systems, leading to the continued evolution leading up to punch-marked coins.

Kuru and Other Historical Regions

Kuru Janapada

Located in modern Delhi and Meerut, the Kuru Janapada was historically significant due to leaders like Ishukara and the lineage traced back to Yudhishthira of the Mahabharata. The Janapada was politically fragmented but robust enough to withstand initial conquests before falling to Mahapadma Nanda around 350 BC.

Coins from Various Janapadas

Andhra

Andhra Pradesh played a formative role in shaping coinage practices with distinct series of coins reflecting local governance and socio-economic conditions.

Kosala

The Kosala kingdom was known for its monetary exchanges, exemplified through various hoards and types of coins which symbolized the local trade requirements.

Conclusion and Forgeries

The proliferation of coin collecting has led to an increase in forgeries, with modern challenges emerging around historical monetary artifacts. Techniques have been outlined to identify forgeries based on material, markings, and adherence to historical minting practices.

The summary captures the essence of the document’s exploration of ancient Indian coinage, notable Janapadas, and their significance in early historical narrative.