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Indian Coinage

Coinage of India began somewhere between early 1st millennium BCE to the 6th century BCE, and consisted mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. Ancient Indian coins were stamped bars of metal. The kingdoms that minted their own coins included Gandhara, Kuntala, Kuru, Panchala, Magadha, Shakya, Surasena and Surashtra etc.

The precise date of the first appearance of coins in India is not known, but archaeological evidence suggests that coins were already being made and used in northern India by the mid-fourth century BC. The oldest coins so far discovered in India were made of weighed pieces of silver, stamped on only one side with between one and five punches. Such coins are now known as ‘punch-marked’ coins. The earliest of these seem to be oval and stamped by four round punches with symbolic designs. The force of the punches curved the metal so that these coins are dish-shaped. Smaller examples have also been reported with one or two punches only.

Cowry shells were first used in India as commodity money. The Indus Valley Civilization may have used metals of fixed weights such as silver for trade activities which is evident from the DK area of Mohenjo Daro from the late Harappan perod (dated 1900-1800 BC or 1750 BC). Similarities have been recorded between Punch marked coin symbols with those appearing in the Indus seals. Chalcolithic unmarked gold disc discovered from Eran dating to 1000 BC was probably utilized as money in that time. Since the Bronze Age, ratti (0.11 or 0.12 gm) or the weight of the Gunja seeds have been used as a base unit for the measurement of mass in the Indus Valley civilization. There is evidence of countable units of precious metal being used for exchange from the Vedic period onwards. A term Nishka appears in this sense in the Rigveda. Later texts speak of cows given as gifts being adorned with pādas of gold.

Indian coin collection can be organized in many ways. Here’s how we see Indian coin list being organized. We will keep populating content for these to keep returning here for more information. Use this to organize your Indian coin collection.

 

Ancient India

  • Mauryan Empire
  • Sunga Empire
  • Kingdom of Kuninda
  • Indo-Greeks
  • Indo-Parthian
  • Indo-Sassanid
  • Kushan Empire
  • Western Satraps
  • Nahapana
  • Naga Kingdom
  • Gupta Empire
  • Vallabhi
  • MULANANDA
  • Satavahana Empire
  • Vakataka
  • Vishnukundina Empire

Medieval India

  • Northern Kalachuris
  • Huna
  • Pratihara Empire
  • Gadhiya
  • Shahi
  • Rajput
  • Kashmir
  • Gond
  • Western Chalukya
  • Pandyan Empire
  • Cholas
  • Vijayanagara Empire
  • Seuna, Sevuna or Yadava dynasty
  • Sivaganga (Lords)

Independent Kingdoms of India

  • Kangra
  • Mewar
  • Cooch Bihar
  • Marathas
  • Durranis
  • Sikhs
  • Awadh
  • Rohillas
  • Bangash Nawabs
  • Mysore
  • Pudukottai
  • Assam

Indian Sultanates

  • Ahmadnagar Sultanate
  • Bengal Sultanate
  • Bidar Sultanate
  • Bijapur Sultanate
  • Delhi Sultanate
  • Turks Dynasty
  • Khiljis Dynasty
  • Tughluqs Dynasty
  • Sayyids Dynasty, Lodis Dynasty
  • Suris Dynasty
  • Ghaznavid Sultanate
  • Golkunda Sultanate
  • Gujrat Sultanate
  • Gulbarga Sultanate (Bahmanis of Deccan)
  • Jaunpur Sultanate
  • Kalpi Sultanate
  • Kashmir Sultanate
  • Khandesh Sultanate
  • Madura Sultanate
  • Malwa Sultanate
  • Amirs of Sind

Mughal Emperors of India

  • Babur
  • Humayun
  • Akbar
  • Jahangir
  • Nur Jahan
  • Shah Jahan
  • Murad
  • Aurangzeb
  • Shah Alam Bahadur-I
  • Jahandar Shah
  • Farrukhsiyar
  • Rafiuddarjat, Shah Jahan-II
  • Muhammad Shah
  • Ahmad Shah
  • Alamgir-II
  • Shah Jahan-III, Shah Alam-II

European Colonies in India

  • Portuguese India
  • Dutch India
  • Danish India
  • French India

British India

  • East India Company
  • King William IV
  • Queen Victoria
  • King Edward VII
  • King George V
  • King George VI

Indian Princely States

A Princely state was a entity of British India that was not directly governed by British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule. There were 565 princely states in India at the time of Independence in 1947.

  • Alwar
  • Arcot
  • Bahawalpur
  • Banswara
  • Baroda
  • Bharathpur
  • Bhopal
  • Bikaner
  • Bundi
  • Cambay (Khambhat)
  • Gwalior
  • Hyderabad
  • Indore
  • Jaipur
  • Jhalwar
  • Joara
  • Jodhpur
  • Junagarh
  • Kutch
  • Mewar
  • Nawanagar
  • Porbandar
  • Pudokkottai
  • Radhanpur
  • Ratlam
  • Sailana
  • Tonk
  • Travancore

Republic of India

  • Indian Anna coins
  • Indian Pice coins
  • Indian Paisa coins
  • Indian Rupee coins

While our blog only provides basic information about the coinage, a serious collector needs more substantive work of research. Checkout these publications that provide you with deeper insights into the coinage of India and rich information about coins of that era.

View All Numismatic Publications
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Karkota Empire

The first people with local origin who ascended the throne of the land were Karkotas. The dynasty ruled Kashmir for more than two centuries during which seventeen Rajas are said ascended the throne, one after the other. Karkota Empire (c. 625 – 885 CE) was was founded by Durlabhavardhana during the lifetime of Harshavardhan. It became a major power in the Indian subcontinent during 7th and 8th century. The dynasty marked the rise of Kashmir as a power in Northern India.

Kashmiri historian Kalhana wrote Rajatarangini (“The River of Kings”) in Sanskrit. It provides the earliest source on Kashmir that can be labeled as a “historical” text on this region.

The dynasty’s strongest ruler was Lalitaditya Muktapida who captured parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Punjab. Lalitaditya was able to extend the power of Kashmir beyond the normal mountain limits. Around 740 CE he defeated Yashovarman, the King of Kannauj. Lalitaditya vanquished the Turks, Tibetans, Bhutias, Kambojas and others. The claim of Lalitaditya conquering the Tibetans seems to be based on his participation in Tang campaigns against the Tibetans.

The Karkota emperors were primarily Hindu. They built spectacular Hindu temples in their capital Parihaspur. They however also allowed Buddhism to flourish under them. Stupa, Chaitya and Vihara can be found in the ruins of their capital. Martand Sun Temple in the Anantnag district were built by Lalitaditya. It is the oldest known Sun temple in India and was also one of the biggest temple complexes at the time.

Avanti Varman ascended the throne of Kashmir on 855 A.D., establishing the Utpala dynasty and ending the rule of Karkota dynasty.

The coins of few of Karkota rulars are also known, archaeologists have found coins of Durlaba and Pratapa , which are identified as the coins of Sri Durlabhadeva and Laitaditya Mukhtapida. The coins carry legend in Gupta Brahmi as Sri Durlaba and Sri Pratapa, with crude figures of Standing King and seated Goddess. Their coins have been found in hoards at Bhtawara (Fiazabad) Manu Banda Sarnath and Rajghat (Varanasi) and at the ancient site of Nalanda.

Coin of king Vajraditya (Vigraha Deva) of the Karkota dynasty of Kashmir, 763-770AD, Pratapaditya, Base Gold Dinar,

  • Year: 763-770 AD
  • Weight: 7.00gm
  • Dia: 21mm
  • Composition: Gold (base)
  • Obs: Abstract Kushan-style king standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding filleted standard; filleted trident to left; “Kidara” monogram in inner right field
  • Rev: Abstract Ardoxsho seated facing, holding filleted investiture garland and cornucopia; Brahmi “Sri Vigraha” to right, “Deva” to left
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Karkota dynasty

RulerReignAscension yearNotes
Durlabhavardhana (Prajnaditya)38 years598 CEBorn to Nāga Karkota (a deity), Durlabhavardhana was Baladitya’s officer in charge of fodder. Baladitya married his daughter Anangalekha to him. As the royal son-in-law, he became known as a just and wise man, and was given the title “Prajnaditya” by the king. His wife Anangalekha became involved in an extra-marital affair with the minister Kharga. Despite catching them sleeping together, Durlabhavardhana forgave Khankha, and won over his loyalty. After Baladitya’s death, Khankha crowned him the new king.
Durlabhaka (Pratapaditya II)60 years634 CESon of Durlabhavardhana and Anangalekha. He was adopted as a son by his maternal grandfather, and assumed the title Pratapaditya after the title of the grandfather’s dynasty.
Chandrapida (Vajraditya I)8 years, 8 months684 CESon of Durlabhaka and Shrinarendraprabha.
Tarapida (Udayaditya)4 years, 24 days693 CEYounger brother of Chandrapida.
Muktapida (Lalitaditya I)36 years, 7 months, 11 days697 CEYounger brother of Chandrapida and Tarapida. According to the historical evidence, Lalitaditya Muktapida ruled during the 8th century. Kalhana states that Lalitaditya Muktapida conquered the tribes of the north and after defeating the Kambojas, he immediately faced the Tusharas. The Tusharas did not give a fight but fled to the mountain ranges leaving their horses in the battle field. Then Lalitaditiya meets the Bhauttas in Baltistan in western Tibet north of Kashmir, then the Daradas in Karakoram/Himalaya, the Valukambudhi and then he subdues Strirajya, the Uttar Kuru/Western China and the Pragjyotisha respectively (IV.165-175). According to some historians, Kalhana has highly exaggerated the military conquests of Muktapida.
Kuvalayapida1 year, 15 days733 CESon of Lalitaditya and Kamaladevi. His short reign was marked by a succession struggle with his half-brother Vajraditya II. He abdicated the throne, and a became a hermit to seek peace.
Vajraditya II (Bappiyaka / Vappiyaka / Lalitaditya II)7 years734 CESon of Lalitaditya and Chakramardika. He was a cruel and immoral person, who introduced the evil habits of mlechchhas to Kashmir.
Prithivyapida I4 years, 1 month741 CESon of Vajraditya II and Mangjarika. Deposed by his half-brother Sangramapida.
Sangramapida I7 days745 CESon of Vajraditya II and Massa. Deposed his half-brother to become the king, but died after a week.
Jayapida (Vinayaditya); Jajja31 years; 3 years745 CEYoungest son of Vajradjtya II. He erected a monument at Prayaga, which existed at Kalhana’s time. His wife Kalyanadevi was the daughter of Jayanta, the king Pundravardhana in Gauda region. Jayapida subdued five kings of Gauda, and made them vassals of his father-in-law. On his way back to Kashmir, he also defeated the king of Kanyakubja. While Jayapida was in Gauda, his brother-in-law usurped the throne in Kashmir. After three years of ruling Kashmir, Jajja was killed by Shrideva, a supporter of Jayapida. Jayapida became the king once again, and patronized scholars. He waged wars against Bhimasena of the East and Aramuri of Nepala. In both instances, he was first imprisoned by the enemy king, but managed to escape and defeated the enemy. During the last years of his reign, he imposed excessive taxes on advice of Kayasthas, and treated his subjects cruelly. He died because of a curse by a Brahmin.
Lalitapida12 years776 CESon of Jayapida and Durgi. He devoted his time to sensual pleasures, and neglected royal duties.
Sangramapida II (Prithivyapida II)7 years788 CESon of Jayapida and Kalyana.
Chippatajayapida (Brhspati / Vrihaspati)12 years795 CESon of Lalitapida and his concubine Jayadevi. The actual power was in hands of Jayadevi’s brothers Padma, Utpalaka, Kalyana, Mamma and Dharmma.
Ajitapida37 years813 CESon of Lalitapida and Jayadevi, made the king by his maternal uncle Utpalaka. Dethroned by Utpalaka’s rival Mamma and the latter’s son Yashovarman.
Anangapida3 years849 CESon of Sangramapida II. Made king by Mamma and Yashovarman.
Utpalapida2 years852 CESon of Ajitapida. Made king by Sukhavarman, the son of Utpala. Deposed by the minister Shura.

* Text from Wikipedia

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What is my coin worth?

What is my coin worth

We get a lot of requests from people asking us for the value of their coins. It is hard to respond to all of them. However in most of the cases you can get a fair idea of what your coin is worth in market. In this article we share some tips on how you can find out the value or worth of your coin.

The first step is to identify the coin. In most cases, if you understand the language on the coin it should be easy. If you can’t identify your coin out rightly, you could always use Google’s reverse image search for this. Read more about identifying your coins.

Once you have identified your coin, use the following tips to find out what your coin is worth.

  • Do a basic internet search for your coin. You can add “price” or “value” to your search term. For example you could search for “One rupee 1887 coin price“. This will show you many results including many places where the coin is on sale.
  • Ignore prices from all sites that require you to contact seller for actual price. These sites will most likely list very high prices in lakhs of rupees.
  • Check sites that specialize in coin sales. Do not rely on generic ecommerce sites (like Snapdeal, Amazon, Flipkart etc.) or sites that don’t directly sell (like IndiaMart etc.).
  • Typically ignore highest and lowest listed prices. These are outliers.
  • Identify the average price range listed for your coin.
  • Assume you can get about 50 to 70% of that price range by selling to a dealer. This can be much lower too if you are selling a large lot of coins.

To realize better price for your coin, you should try to sell directly to collectors. For this you could register as a seller on BidCurios and list your coin for sale directly to collectors to realize best price. Learn about how to sell on BidCurios.

Remember, there are many factors that influence the value of a coin. While you may have a coin that looks the same as one that may have been sold for a very high price, it probably is not the same. Keep learning about collecting coins and develop an interest in coin collection and then you may be able to identify really rare coins that sell for lakhs and crores of rupees.

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King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar – 1 Kasu

King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar issued 1 Kasu hand-struck coins each year of his reign (1673-1704) indicating the completion of one year of his rule. The Kannada numeral 1 was struck on the coin in the year 1674. In 1675 he issued a coin with the numeral 2 (in Kannada) indicating that he completed the second year of his rule in the Indian state of Mysore and so on.

In total he struck 31 coins (1704 AD being his last year of reign). Each coin had an unique Kannada numerals on it, starting from 1 & ending with 31.

Two coins 32 & 33 was issued after the king’s death by his queen consort (regent) in the year 1705 & 1706.

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Mauryan Dynasty Coins

From the time when coins was first used in India in about 600 BC, until the time of the Mauryan Empire (321 – 187 BC) the basic form of coin was a silver piece punched by one or more stamps bearing deigns of a largely pictorial character.

The Mauryan Empire coins were punch marked with the royal standard to ascertain their authenticity. The Arthashastra, written by Kautilya, mentions minting of coins but also indicates that the violation of the Imperial Maurya standards by private enterprises may have been an offence. Kautilya also seemed to advocate a theory of bimetallism for coinage, which involved the use of two metals, copper and silver, under one government. The Mauryan rule also saw a steady emergence of inscribed copper coins in India as evidenced by Tripuri coins in Ashokan brahmi script and various pre Satavahana coins dated 3rd-2nd century BC in Deccan.

The Mauryan coinage consisted almost exclusively of silver karshapanas of roughly 3.4 gm, a series that continued the Magadha karshapana series. Almost all Mauryan coins have five punches, as did the Magadhan coins before them, namey a sun, a “6-arm symbol” and three others. Some of the last coins in the series also had a punch on the reverse of the coin.

Some symbols found on Mauryan Dynasty coins

Over time, the flans became smaller and thicker. Mauryan Empire also introduced for the first time in India square shaped copper coins with punch marks. The economy must have been very prosperous, as the coins seem to have been minted in the millions.

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