The development of Indian coinage is an important stage of economic development of society. This is believed that Barter system was prevailed in India and it was started at the very early stages vedic society. Some literally references and religious texts also proves the existence of barter system in India.
We found in Indus valley Civilization, there was scientific weight system & it was well developed that people have used metal pieces of certain weight as in trade activities.
Gradually with due course of time coins acts as a medium of exchange in society.
Phases :-
The introduction of coinage across the world in ancient period was born out of initial stage of transition & with accurate metalic units and greater reability, precession in terms of ecxhange between two or more individuals. The coins of ancient India developed under different dynasties with respect to their powerful rulers so far as it's phases of evolution is In ancient Indian history is concerned.
1) Vedic Period
The world's oldest currency coins were issued in ancient India during the vedic period and were called Nishka and Mana. Nishka coins were small gold units of definite weight.
2) Pre-Buddhist Period
The another phase of stamping coins is however recorded in pre Buddhist period. With the emergence of new states Janapadas (16 Mahajanapadas) which are mentioned in various religious texts and Epics like Ramayan and Mahabharata.
3) Mauryan Phase
The next phase of coinage in India was the merge with the rising empire of Magadha under the great ruler Ashoka which it's achieved reached its zenith. The punch marked coins (PMC) of mauryans and Gold coins are remarkable in progress. The Punch marked coins of maurya period are mentioned in Kauthilyas Arthasastra.
4) Indo-Greek Phase
The Indo-Greek coins acts as the another important development of coinage in ancient India. The coins issued by Greek rulers who ruled South Hindukush region & rulers like - Demetrius, Didotous, Ethydemus, Demetrius etc. issued their coins which played important role in study numismatics for analysing ancient Indian coins.
5) Age Of Kushanas
The next phase of indian coins begins with the rise of Kushanas in ancient India. The credit of issued these type of gold coins goes to Kushana rulers who initially came to India as a nomadic tribe. The bilingual coins of Kanishka revolutionized a great change in coinage traditions in India. Under the Kushanas the numismatics art reached its glorious epoch.
5) Under Imperial Guptas
The coinage of ancient India created a golden chapter in the history of numismatics studies regarding the origin of coinage in India upto highest pinacle of distinction during the Golden Era of Guptas. Their coins mainly made up of Golds, silvers, Coopers & Lead. Specially coins issued by Guptas like Chandragupta 2 & Samudragupta are remarkable in progress. The coins of Kumaragupta also speaks the good deals of past and their economic prosperity of that time.
So , these are the phases and thus the coinage of ancient India under different dynasties marked a new chapter in history of numismatics studies in india.
.jpeg)
