EARLY ANCIENT SILVER COIN FROM INDIA

India developed some of the world's earliest coins sometime around 600BC.  The coins were made by taking a flat, though often irregularly shaped,  piece of silver, cutting it to the proper weight, then applying a series of punches to the front of it, indicating where and when it was made. The punches covered a wide variety of symbols.  As the coin circulated, additional punches were sometimes put on the back, verifying the weight and fineness of the coin.  The coin, known as the Punchmarked Karshapana, continued to be issued until about the second century BC.   Today the coin is one of the least expensive early coins available, and represents one of the earliest approaches to the development of coinage.

COINS OF THE INDIAN PRINCELY STATES

Though the British controlled most of India prior to its independence in 1947, many of the Indian states retained their right to issue coins.  Most coins could only be used within the state they were issued and there was little standardization of the coins or denominations issued from state to state. The result was a bewildering array of coins, many of which have limited mintages.   We have assembled a collection of coins from nine different states. These collections have proved very popular. Because of the difficulty in obtining coins of the Indian States, we sometimes have to vary the exact coins included in the set.  The latest group of sets we made up included are a square Paisa from Bahawalpur,  1/4 Anna of Gwalior that pictures the Maharajah, a 1/4 Anna from Indore that pictures a bull, a paisa from Jodhpur struck during World War II, a coin from Kutch that was issued with a center hole,  an eight-sided 1 Anna from Mewar, a Dokdo from Nawanagar that was struck from about 1570 to 1894 with virtually no change in the design, a 1 Pice coin from Tonk and a tiny 19th century Travencore 1 Cash that pictures a six-pointed star in a circle.  It is a fascinating collection from a fascinating and ancient country.  The coins generally grade Fine to Very Fine.   An identification guide is included with each set.   The exact coins included in the set may vary, depending upon what we have in stock at the time your order is received.

DELHI SULTAN ALAUDDIN MOHAMMED II

‘Ala al-din (Alauddin) Mohammed II Khaljis was the favorite nephew of Sultan Firoz II.  To repay his Uncle’s kindness, he murdered his Uncle and his son in order to claim the throne of the Delhi Sultans of India in 1296AD.  He plundered the wealth of his nobles and conquered neighboring territories.  He ruthlessly turned back repeated Mongol invasions, saving India from Mongol domination.   This billon (debased silver) Jital (2 Gani) was issued between 1296 and 1316AD.

BRONZE COINS OF THE KUSHAN EMPIRE

The Kushan Empire covered much what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India from about the first to the third century AD.  They grew wealthy controlling trade centers on the Silk Road and on the Indus River and incorporated elements of the Greek, Roman, Chinese, Persian, Indian and other cultures into their lives.  Their coins incorporate Greek designs and often use a corrupted Greek alphabet in the legends. Kujula Kadphises united a loose confederation of tribes to form the Kushan Empire in about 30AD.  He further expanded the Empire until his death in 80AD.  This bronze tetradrachm of Kujula Kadphises features a Greek style diademed head on the obverse and Hercules with a club or another Greek deity on the reverse.  The coin grades Good to Fine.  We also have well made bronze Tetradrachms of Kushan king “Soter Megas”.  The title “Soter Megas” means Great Savior.   The coin, which grades VG to Fine, shows the Greek style diademed bust of the king on one side, and the king on horseback on the other.  The king thought of himself as being so great, he did not need to put his actual name on the coin.  Until quite recently however, scholars did not know who really was!  It is now believed that he is Vima Takha who succeeded Kujula Kadphises, ruling from 80AD to 105AD.  He expanded his empire into what is now Pakistan.  We also have a number of worn, unidentified Kushan thick bronze Tetradrachms and bronze Drachms   I don’t have the time to work these up.   Most coins feature the king standing on one side and a Greek, Indian or other deity on the other.  The unidentified coins date from about 105 to 225AD and grade Poor to Good.

INDIA’S FIRST DECIMAL COINS INCLUDES ODD SHAPES

India introduced their first decimal coins in 1957.  The coins were initially called Naye Paise, or new Paise, to distinguish them from the previous coins. In order to aid the many blind in the country, each coin was distinctly different.  This six coin set includes the round 1 Naye Paisa, scalloped edge 2 Naye Paisa, the square 5 Naye Paise, the scalloped edge 10 Naye Paisa, the round 25 Naye Paise, all dated 1957, and the round 50 Naye Paise dated 1960, its first year of issue.  The coins have the denomination on one side and the lion capital from the Sarnath pillar of Ashoka.  The Ashoka lion capital was erected around 250BC and now serves as the national emblem of India.  All 6 coins are Uncirculated.