{"id":11,"date":"2015-12-07T11:16:13","date_gmt":"2015-12-07T11:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mintageworld.com\/blog\/?p=11"},"modified":"2015-12-30T06:46:15","modified_gmt":"2015-12-30T06:46:15","slug":"worlds-oldest-coins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mintageworld.com\/blog\/worlds-oldest-coins\/","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s Oldest Coins!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before money was introduced, cowry shells\/seashells, beads of various types; and in India, cows were medium of exchange.\u00a0 But who introduced the first coins which can also be counted among the world’s oldest coins?<\/p>\n

There is no end to debate on claiming a certain coins as world\u2019s first coin. The debate is not likely to die down soon.<\/p>\n

It starts with definition of a coin.\u00a0 Simply speaking a coin is a piece of metal, stamped by a legitimate authority, of a prescribed weight carrying symbols, inscriptions or both.<\/p>\n

The simple wisdom \u201call the coins are money, but all the moneys are not coin\u201d helps little in determining the first coin of the world. Archaeological evidences are subject to interpretations and experts from different opinions which create a sort of uncertainty in determining acceptable ideas of first coin.<\/p>\n

In the context of India, many hoards are found but very few are reported. It is very difficult to determine location of the find, stratigraphy (if found in a particular stratum), other details about the accompanying coins etc. which makes it almost impossible to come to a conclusion.<\/p>\n

Ancient Greek coins and coins of Lydia are known to be the first amongst the coins of the world. However, a common period is not yet determined by various claimants.\u00a0 Since the ancient coins were without inscriptions and carried just symbols, the determination of a particular period is subject to other materials found with them.<\/p>\n

Trite or 1\/3 Stater of Lydia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"World's<\/a><\/p>\n

In India, early Punch Marked Coins (PMCs) of various Mahajanapadas<\/a> are candidates for first coins of India and contest the space for World\u2019s first coins.\u00a0 Though many experts believe that the first coins of India were introduced in 5-4th <\/sup>Century BCE, there are suggestions that first coins in India were introduced in 6th<\/sup> Century BCE.\u00a0 Some uninscribed cast copper coins also make it to the list of first Indian coins.<\/p>\n

However, there have been references of \u2018money\u2019 in ancient Indian literature like Brahamanas, Vedas etc. terms such as Suvarna<\/a>, Hiranyam, Shatamana<\/a> are found and they indicate a kind of \u2018money\u2019 in use. But no concrete evidences have been found as no claims are thoroughly investigated.\u00a0\u00a0 In Buddhist literature too there are mentions of coins of silver and gold.<\/p>\n

Dr Nupam Mahajan PH.D, FRNS (www.nupam.com) is of the opinion that India developed the first coins in the World which can also be the world’s oldest coins.\u00a0 Many experts like Mitchiner believe that Indian coins were influenced by western and Islamic coinage.\u00a0 However, looking at the vast Punch Marked Coin series, it is difficult to believe above statement, as these coins show genuine and innovative minting technique, local devices, fabric and styles.<\/p>\n

Gandhar Janapada<\/a> is one of the first Janapadas to mint coins in India<\/a>.\u00a0 A shatamana coin of 11+ grams is known as bent bar in 6th<\/sup> Century BCE.\u00a0 They are found in various length and thickness but carry standard shatamana weight.<\/p>\n

\"World's<\/a><\/p>\n

Gandhara Janapada Bent Bar 7th<\/sup> \u2013 6th<\/sup> Century B.C.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Since dating is most challenging part of such coin and coin hoards, it will take some time to come to a final conclusion and declare the winner!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before money was introduced, cowry shells\/seashells, beads of various types; and in India, cows were medium of exchange.\u00a0 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\u2019s first coin. The debate is not likely to … Continue reading World\u2019s Oldest Coins!<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7,10,8,9],"yoast_head":"\nWorld's Oldest Coins! - Blog | Mintage World<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The blog contains the information of the world's oldest coins and also the world's first coin. 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