(circa 600 BC - circa 300 AD)
are the earliest money coined in India . They were in circulation during the centuries long
before the beginning of the Christian era. Sanskrit writers such as Manu and Panini,
and the Buddhist Jataka stories have made mention of these coins.
interesting feature of these coins is that they bear neither date nor any name of kings. We
only find a number of symbols punched on the face of these coins.
found on these coins are religious, mythological or astronomical in character. Among the marks
commonly found are the sun, the elephant, cow, chariot, horse, bull, jackal, tree, tiger or
lion and dharmachakra.
coins were in circulation in Northern India up to the beginning of the Christian era. In
Southern India they continued to be in use for three centuries more.