The Sunga Empire was a powerful Indian dynasty that ruled from approximately 185 BCE to 73 BCE. During this time, they minted a variety of coins that have become fascinating objects of study for historians, archaeologists, and numismatists. In this blog post, we will explore the coinage of the Sunga Empire and what it tells us about the political, economic, and cultural landscape of ancient India.

The earliest coins of the Sunga Empire were struck by the founder of the dynasty, Pushyamitra Sunga. These coins were cast in the punch-marked style, which was a common technique used by Indian dynasties in the 3rd century BCE. Punch-marked coins were made by punching symbols and inscriptions onto a blank piece of metal, usually silver or copper. The symbols on the Sunga coins included various animals such as elephants, lions, and horses, as well as abstract symbols like the sun, moon, and various geometric shapes.

One notable feature of Sunga coinage is the wide range of denominations that were produced. The Sunga coins were issued in a variety of sizes and weights, ranging from tiny fractions of a gram to larger coins weighing several grams. The smallest coins were used for everyday transactions, while the larger coins were likely used for more significant transactions such as taxes, tribute payments, and trade with foreign merchants.

One of the most distinctive features of Sunga coinage is the use of a unique symbol called the ‘Ujjain symbol.’ This symbol appears on many Sunga coins, particularly those issued during the reign of Agnimitra, the second Sunga king. The Ujjain symbol is a depiction of a tree with a crescent moon and a six-armed sun above it. The exact meaning of this symbol is not entirely clear, but it is thought to represent the city of Ujjain, which was an important center of commerce and culture during the Sunga period.

The Sunga coins were made from a variety of metals, including copper, silver, and gold. The most common metal used for Sunga coins was silver, which was abundant in India at the time. Some Sunga coins were also made from a unique alloy called ‘potin,’ which was made from copper, tin, and lead. Potin coins were particularly popular in the western part of the empire, where they were used in trade with foreign merchants.

The Sunga Empire was a period of significant cultural and economic growth in ancient India, and its coinage provides us with valuable insights into this period. The wide range of denominations and the use of Brahmi script on the coins indicate the growing importance of literacy and trade in Indian society. The use of the Ujjain symbol on many Sunga coins highlights the significance of certain cultural and commercial centers in ancient India.

The Sunga coinage also reveals some of the political and military events that occurred during this period. For example, the coins issued by Pushyamitra Sunga often depict a horse with a spear, which may have been a reference to his military exploits. Similarly, the coins issued by the later Sunga kings often depict them holding various weapons, which suggests a focus on martial power and the need to defend the empire against external threats.