Ancient Indian Coins – The Beginning of Coinage

The history of Indian coinage dates back to around the 6th century BCE, with the introduction of punch-marked coins. These were made of silver and had various symbols punched by hand, not engraved. They were used by early kingdoms like Magadha, Kosala, and later by the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka.

These early coins didn’t have any face or ruler’s name — only marks and symbols like the sun, trees, or animals. They were used for trade, tax collection, and official transactions.

These coins demonstrate how India transitioned from a barter economy to one using metal currency, laying the foundation for future coinage systems.