Coins are a form of legal tender first used c. 6th century BCE in India. The need arose for a stable mode of payment and coins have risen gloriously to the occasion. Previous methods of payment have been replaced over time. But what has enabled coins to be used for payment for over two millennia? The stability in the value of precious metals can only go so far. But when combined with the authentication done by governing authorities, coins become a stable and reliable form of money.
Continue reading Numismatic Continuity in Indian Coinage
The Mintage World Team comprises of experts, researchers and writers from the field of Philately, Notaphily and Numismatics who try to shed light on some of the most interesting aspects of coins, banknotes and stamps from not just India but across the globe as well.
A Coin finds a Collector ! This statement does look enigmatic but in many cases it happens and in my case it is entirely true.
I had spent my childhood in a small town where there were no coin dealers and the hobby was hardly pursued by anybody.
During my school days, going to a temple situated a couple of kilometres on dusty road was part of my daily routine. The last kilometre passed through an old market place which was in dilapidated state and there was hardly any commercial activity as all the shops were shut. Many of those closed shops were in the courtyards of the residential houses. One such shop cum residence had fine murals of peacock in shining bright colours. Though I never had any knowledge about art and its technique – I liked the paintings and never missed looking at those paintings and admiring them. Perhaps, being an art lover is the first ‘requirement’ for a coin collector. Continue reading A Coin finds a Collector !
The Mintage World Team comprises of experts, researchers and writers from the field of Philately, Notaphily and Numismatics who try to shed light on some of the most interesting aspects of coins, banknotes and stamps from not just India but across the globe as well.
Before money was introduced, cowry shells/seashells, beads of various types; and in India, cows were medium of exchange. But who introduced the first coins which can also be counted among the world’s oldest coins?
There is no end to debate on claiming a certain coins as world’s first coin. The debate is not likely to die down soon. Continue reading World’s Oldest Coins!
