Numismatic as a source of political history

Question 1

Punch Mark Coins(PMC)

Answer 1

Location: Indian Sub-Continent
Date/Period: Pre-Mauryan to Early Shunga, 600-200BCE
Material: Silver, copper
Sources: Literature, Epigraphs, art
shape: irregular
measurement: 0.6-1.00 mm thickness
types: janapadas/local and imperial
weight: 3.4g/32 Ratti
Purpose: trade
Decline: due to outer influence and decline of centralised power

Question 2

what are the other names of PMC?

Answer 2

Puranas
Karshapanas
pana
shatmana

Question 3

Nomenclature of PMC

Answer 3

because these coins were manufactured by punching technique

Question 4

where were the PMC irregular?

Answer 4

because they are made by cutting up silver and then making the correct weight by cutting the edges of the coin

Question 5

types of PMC

Answer 5

1. Imperial Series Coins: coins having 5 symbols on one side, the imperial series coins, as defined by PL Gupta and found from almost all over India Abundantly
2. Local or Rgional Coins: Coins having less than a group of 5 symbols, either a group of three or four

scholars believe that the imperial coins were manufactured and circulated diring the Mauryan rule under state authority.

Question 6

who issued the PMCs?

Answer 6

initially by merchant guilds and later by the state.

Question 7

what did the coins refresent?

Answer 7

the coins represented a trade currency belonging to a period of intensive trade activiy and urban development.

Question 8

how many periods were the PCMs classified into?

Answer 8

the first period: attributed to the Janapadas or the small local states

second period: attributed to the imperial Mauryan period

Question 9

did the PCMs bear any dates or any name of kings?

Answer 9

no buut there are a few with symbols punched on the face of these coins.

Question 10

What were the symbols on the PCMs?

Answer 10

religious, mythological or astronomical characters
sun
elephant
cow
chariot
horse
bull
jackal
tree
tiger
lion
dharmachakra

Question 11

Till when were the PCMs in circulation?

Answer 11

in Northern India up to the beginning of the Christian era and in Southern India they continued for three more centuries

Question 12

What are the sources in which PCMs are found in?

Answer 12

Manusmriti, Jataka stories: lasted three centuries longer in the south than in the north(600CE-300CE)
Panini
Arthasastra
Anguttara-nikaya
Majjhima-nikaya
Bharahut railing

Question 13

Types of PMCs

Answer 13

Shakya Janapada
Humped bull marked in Saurashtra
swastik mark in south Panchala
Surasena Janapada: fish over lion with added taurines, crescents and dots
Vidarbha/Andhra
Gandhara Janapada
Kuntala Janapada
Kuru Janapada

Question 14

Kushana coins

Answer 14

date: 100-375 CE
Location: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India
Measuration: vary metal wise
Shape: round
purpose: commemoration, trade
material: gold, silver, copper, bronze
types: 4
weight: 12g and 1.5g
language: greek, sanskrit, Bactrian
script: greek Brahmi Kharoshthi
technique: die struck with precision
influenced by: greeks, romans
influenced: indian coinage system