2015-12-15 Tue

In 2014, the United States Mint released its first cup-shaped or scyphate coins to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, these are not the world’s first scyphate coins. Many ancient and medieval kingdoms have issued cup-shaped coins for circulation.

The Byzantine Empire issued increasing cup-shaped fabrics from the 11th century CE. Roger II of Sicily issued scyphate silver ducats during his reign between 1130 CE and 1154 CE.

In India, silver scyphate punch mark coins were issued by the Gandhara Janapada between 500 BCE and 300 BCE. These coins were of 1/8 Shatamana denomination and depicted a flower-like symbol with six petals. Another example of scyphate coins in India is the Padmatanka issued by the Yadavas of Devagiri between 1261 CE and 1270 CE. These gold coins bore a punch in the centre which gave them a distinct cup-shaped appearance. The reverse of both, the 1/8 Shatamana and the Padmatanka, are blank.