Coins are an integral parts of any state’s economic system. The word ‘coin’ is derived from the Latin word ‘cuneus’ and it is believed that the first recorded use of coins was in China and Greece around 700 BC and in India in the sixth century BC. Numismatics is study of coins and medallions. Since, ancient ages coins playing significant role in the economic field of India.
Also Read: Coins of Ancient Indian Dynasties
Classical Indian Languages and Scripts in India
Coins of Pandyan and Chola Kings
The coins of the Chola king Raja Raja had the standing king on the side and the seated goddess on the other side and were generally written in the Sanskrit language. The coins of Rajendra had the legend ‘Sri Rajendra’ or ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ with the emblem of fish and tiger. The coins issued by the Pandyan dynasty were square with an image of an elephant in the early period. Later, fish became a very important symbol on Pandyan coins and Tamil was the language used to write on these coins.
Coins of Rajput Dynasties
The coins issued by Rajputs were mostly made of Gold, copper, or billon (an alloy of silver and copper) and used silver rarely. There were two types of coins issued; one which showed the ‘name of king in Sanskrit on one side and a goddess on other side’, for example, coins issued by Kalachuris, Chandellas of Bundelkhand, Tomars of Ajmer, etc. The other type of coins was issued by Gandhara of Sindh whose coins had a seated bull on the one side and a horseman on the other side.
Coins Delhi Sultanate and Vijayanagara Empire
The coins of Turks did not bear any image of issuing monarch as there was a prohibition of idolatry in Islam but king’s name, date and title were allowed as per Hijri calendar. For the first time, name of mint was inscribed on the coins. The coins issued by Sultans of Delhi were made of copper, silver, gold and billon. Silver Tanka and Copper Jital were introduced by Sultan Iltutmish. The project of Token Currency of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was a failure.
Sher Shah Suri issued the Rupee (silver coin) and Dam (copper coin) and the Rupee is the currency name still used by the Indian Government for its currency. The Vijayanagara Empire issued different types of coins for separate purposes; Pagodas (gold coins) higher denomination, Gold Fanams and Silver Taras (fractional units), and Copper coins for day-to-day circulations.
Coins Issued by Mughals
Mughal-issued gold coins known as Mohur are about 170 grams to 175 grams. Mughals also adopted silver and copper coins taking inspiration from Sher Shah’s Dam and Rupee. Akbar issued both round and square coins and also issued Ilahi coins to propagate his new religious creed ‘Din-i-Ilahi’. On these Ilahi coins, it was written ‘God is great, may his glory be glorified’. Jahangir showed the legend in a couplet in the coins and the most famous of these coins had zodiac signs.
Several other rulers like Shivaji, Haider Ali, etc. issued their local coins, and hence, coinage played a significant role in India whether it is ancient times or medieval times.