COINS OF ANTIQUITY: THE ROLE OF PUNCH-MARKED COINS IN THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANCIENT INDIA
Keywords:
punch-marked coins, ancient India, metal source, manufacturing techniques, symbols, overstriking technique, clipping process.Abstract
The punch-marked coins of ancient India hold a significant place in the history of the Indian
subcontinent. These silver coins were issued initially by merchant guilds and later by states, serving as a trade
currency during a period of intense trade activity and urban development. This article explores the history,
growth, and development of punch-marked coins in India, providing a detailed account of the coins'
chronology, distribution, and general features. The symbols found on these coins were mostly taken from
nature, such as the sun, various animal motifs, trees, hills, and geometrical symbols. The manufacturing
techniques used for punch-marked coins are also discussed, along with the metal source and weight of the
coins. The article further examines the techniques of preparing planchets and striking coins, which varied
across different states in early historic India. The overstriking technique used for existing coins and the
clipping process for bigger denominations are also examined. This article contributes to the understanding of
the intriguing world of punch-marked coins and their place in the history of the Indian subcontinent
