2023-01-12 Thu

The first coins to be used are punch-marked, a form of early Indian coinage dating from the 6th to the 2nd century B.C. It was of irregular shape. This coin is a Shakya Janapada issue. This janapada is noteworthy because it was the birthplace of the Shakya prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. The Shakya coin was created at the same time and place as the Buddha.

The Shakya Janapada (also known as Vajji or Lichchavi Janapada) was located on the Indo-Nepal border, north of Gorakhpur. Its capital was Kapilavastu. The punch-marked coin is attributed to Shakya Janapada and weighs 7.18 g of silver double karshapana. A single pentagon-shaped bold punch in the centre, uniface, and scyphate.

Image courtesy: todywalla.com