2018-04-13 Fri

Coins are made from metal. The metal is first heated. The molten metal is then beaten into sheets. Planchets or coin blanks are cut from these sheets and then stamped with the chosen motif. There are 4 ways in which Indian coins have been minted over time.

• Punch Mark Technique
• Cast Technique
• Die-Struck Technique
• Repoussé Technique

Coins have played a vital role in a kingdom, state or a country’s economy. Historic coins reveal political and economic information of the region it belonged to at the time. E.g. Indo-Greek presence in north-western India was confirmed through coins discovered in the area. Each ruler from the numerous dynasties in India over the ages has issued a variety of coins. Many display excellent artistic merit.

Coins were minted in Gold, Silver, Copper and Lead. Today, alloys like Cupro-Nickel and Stainless Steel are used to mint coins. Bronze and Aluminium-Magnesium were also used.

Ancient Punch-Mark coins bear punches of various designs. Die-struck coins bore a design that was carved fully on the mould, unlike Punch-Mark coins which were punched. Die-Struck coins bore designs depicting motifs of kings and goddesses. Coins issued during the medieval era display Islamic influence. Ancient, Medieval and Pre-Colonial era foreign coin hoards reveal trade patterns of India over time.

We will be discussing each technique in detail in upcoming articles. Till then stay tuned!

Image Courtesy: Wiki Commons