Gold Coins of India

Take a look back at Indian coins dating from the fifth century BC.

India’s First Coinage

In order to promote trade, historians think that India introduced coins between the 5 th century BC and the 6 th century BC. Silver coins with symbols representing animals, plants and people were the earliest.

  • The history of Indian coins in detail
  • Early Indian coins: a brief overview
  • Images of Early Pun-marked Coins

Indo-Greek Dynasty

The coins of Indo-Greek Kings, which originated in the Hindu Kush region, had bilingual writing. The front of the coin usually had a Greek legend, while the reverse was in an Indian language.

  • Description of Indo-Greek coins
  • Images and descriptions of the coins from this period
  • Indo-Greek coin images

Kushana Dynasty Coins

Vima Kadphises, the ruler of the Kushana Dynasty introduced gold coins. These coins were widely used on Silk Road trade routes and suggest early Kushans had Iranian religious beliefs. Later Kushan officials began minting coins that suggested a Buddhist faith.

  • Kushana coin description and usage
  • The Kusana’s introduction to gold coinage and the history of their coins

Gold Coins of the Golden Age of India/Coins of Gupta Dynasty

Gupta Dynasty made a variety of gold coins with intricate designs. On one side, a portrait appeared and on the reverse was an image of the deity. Some coins were commemorative and featured Brahmi-script.

  • Image of a Gupta Dynasty gold coin
  • The Gupta Dynasty coin collection is a major one
  • The history of one of our coins
  • The Gupta System of Coinage

Coins from the Western and Central Indian Dynasties

Each of the Western and Central Indian Dynasties had its own coin. Kshatrapa coins are thought to be among the oldest coins with dates. Legends on coins are usually in Greek or Brahmi. Lead was used to mint the coins of Satavahanas.

  • Descriptions and images of Satavahanas Coins
  • Coinage from the Rajput Dynasty

Southern Indian Dynasties Coins

Cholas coin designs are often complex. Some of these coins feature the symbol of the tiger while others have deities or royal decorations. These coins have legends in Sandskrit.

  • Pictures of Cholas coins
  • Description of Kadambas Coins

Mughal and other Islamic Dynasties

Mughal design was introduced to Indian coins during the Mughal period. Because Islam prohibited the depiction of humans and animals, the Mughal coins are adorned with script.

  • You can view images of Mughal coinage and read a full discussion by clicking the cabinet.
  • Images from the Mughal Period
  • Image of Mughal Coin
  • The history of Akbar and the use of his coins
  • Translations and descriptions of the writings on Mughal coin
  • Use of Mughal Coins in Calcutta
  • The Gold Coins of Muslim Rulers
  • A coin in the British Museum Collection

Maratha rulers’ coins

Persion is written on coins of the Maratha era. They often modeled the coins after those of Mughals.

  • A description of Maratha coins and the history of the Maratha Empire
  • Maratha coin images
  • Rise of the Murathas, and fate of some Murathas coins

Coins of the East India Company and Modern India

They are constantly changing and reflect British India’s history. The coins became the main currency for Indian trade.

  • Image of a coin from the East India Company
  • British East India Company Coins
  • Coinage and history of the East India Company
  • Image of a coin from the East India Company
  • Images of British India coins

Coins of the Princely States of India

Each of the Princely States issued its own coin under Mughal rule. Hyderabad’s coins were some of the first machine-struck.

  • Picture of a coin from the Princely States
  • Description of the coins from the Princely States

Coins of Independent Kingdoms

Coins of Independent Kingdoms are usually unique. The Kingdom of Ahom, for example, minted a coin with a weight that was based on the Sultans’ coins from Bengal but in an octagonal form.

  • The characteristics of coins from Tripura
  • An overview and description of coinage from the Independent Kingdoms

India’s coins reflect its rich and varied history. The coins of India are a record of the nation’s history, including its invasions, victories, political and religious upheavals and cultural turning-points.