Ancient Coins of India and their broad classifications

Collectors from all around the world have a fascination for old Indian coins. Many of these ancient coins of India were issued thousands of years ago by various kingdoms and emperors. Indian old coins from the Magadha Mauryan empire speak a lot about the richness of Indian traditions and cultures. They suggest the existence of highly civilized societies within the Indian subcontinent right from ancient times. Moreover, these ancient Indian coins also suggest that the Indian subcontinent was had some of the wealthiest kingdoms of its times.

Ancient coins of India can be classified based on the various janapadas that existed during those days. Gandhara, Magadha, Magadha-mauryan, Kashi, Kuntala and Ayodhya formed the earliest Janapadas starting from 600 BCE. Then there were invaders like Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Greeks, Indo – Scythian, Kushan, Indo – Parthian, Indo Sassanian, Huns etc. who minted coins under their regime as well. The designs, motifs, inscriptions of ancient Indian coins were unique and represented the ruling kingdom which issued them. There is so much to explore that a single lifetime wouldn’t be sufficient to learn about them.

Then there were Mighty kingdoms under the Guptas, Western Kshatrapas and Satavahanas, each of which issued beautiful Indian Old Coins. If you thought that there were powerful kingdoms only in the north, then you are wrong. Old Coin of India struck under south Indian empires like Cholas, Pandyas and Pallavas suggest that the Indian subcontinent maintained strong trade relations with foreign lands as well. There were influential city states as well like Mathura, Rajgir, Kolhapur, Ayodhya, Ujjain, Taxila etc., many of which had their own unique coinage. 

Numismatics in India is really exciting. Every coin allows you to understand history at a deeper level. What we have been taught in school is nothing when compared with the number of ancient dynasties that ruled over the Indian subcontinent.

Why are Old Indian Coins so desired among collectors?

Exhibitions and auction houses all over the world are always very excited about showcasing ancient Old Indian Coins. Have you ever wondered why? That’s because Indian Old Coins have rich historical stories behind them. If you have an old coin of India in your collection, then you should consider yourself to be extremely lucky. The value of Old Indian Coins appreciates over a period of time, depending on rarity and condition. Coins which are in great condition but are not very rare might not fetch you much in the future. That’s the reason why when you are looking to buy ancient Indian Coins, always check if they are rare. For that, you must accumulate a lot of knowledge about ancient Coins of India. There are several online portals where you can find Information on Old Indian Coins. Mintage World is one of the best websites where you can find well-categorized information about all kinds of Old Coins India. Once you know about the historical significance of an old coin of India, you have a better advantage over other dealers and collectors who simply collect coins.

The next point you should consider after rarity is condition. Rare Old Indian Coins with a clean strike and lustre is far more desired than ordinary ones. Since many Ancient Indian Coins were die struck, it is very difficult to find coins that depict obverse and reverse designs in totality. Silver coins generally have a tendency to oxidize when they come in contact with moisture in the air. It is always advised to place these coins inside good quality coin holders so that they remain fresh as ever. You wouldn’t want to face a situation where an interesting old coin of India that you posses loses its market value due to oxidation.
Last but not the least, even if you are looking to collect old Indian coins just as an investment, it is crucial to keep acquiring knowledge from time to time.
   

What to Look For While Collecting Ancient Indian Coins

There is a general human tendency to do away the old and welcome the new. This is great in certain situations but can snap back bad in certain other situations. Take for example the history and traditions of India. We are moving ahead in such a pace that we are fast forgetting the essence of true India. I believe that we should never forget where we come from and make an effort to stay connected to our roots. By learning about old Indian coins you can do just that almost perfectly. Thousands of emperors and rulers have issued various kinds of Ancient Indian Coins over the years. Each one of them is peculiar and shares a unique story. As a responsible Indian, it is our duty to understand the richness of our past. This will give us an objective outlook towards where we are headed in the future.

Right from ancient times, the Indian subcontinent has been the birthplace for different kinds of coinage. The history of ancient India is broadly classified into sixteen janapadas based on time periods and geographies. I feel extremely lucky for owning an old coin of India that belongs to the Magadha mauryan dynasty. Most collectors are curious of nature. We do not stop at simply collecting old coins of India. We feel satisfied only after we get to the depths of the history behind these Indian old coins. Even medieval India saw a revolution in coinage when Mughal and Maratha emperors issued beautiful coins. Who wouldn’t love to own a beautiful Ancient Indian Coin that was issued by Shahjahan featuring the sun signs? Some of these gold mohurs have been auctioned for impressive amounts at various auctions not only in India, but abroad as well. You can only imagine the kind of demand that old coins of India have throughout the world!

Basic Tips For New Collectors Looking To Collect Old Indian Coins

Nothing in life is constant but the most important things leaves a mark behind. Same is the case with old Indian coins. There is something mystical about them that keeps me passionate about numismatics. Very few of us know what numismatics actually means. It is a term given to the study of coins. People who engage in numismatics are known as numismatist. Every numismatist develop his or her own likes. For example, I specialise in Indian old coins from the ancient and medieval times.  The best part about this hobby is that you are continuously learning something new every day. Indian history has so much to explore that one lifetime would not suffice. The more you read about old Indian coins, the more there is to learn. One thing leads to the other, almost like solving a mystery. If you are new to this hobby and are wondering where to start, then I have some tips for you. Keep reading and let me know if you have any doubts or queries.

First thing first, pick a dynasty or a ruler that you admire the most. Then start reading about them. Most experts stress on the importance of buying good books before you buy coins. Numismatics is nothing if you are not acquiring knowledge on a constant basis. When I started off collecting ancient Indian coins, I remember my uncle telling me to start reading about the rulers who minted those coins. If you are simply thinking of hoarding up ancient coins of India to make some extra money, then you cannot be considered as a numismatist, you are just a dealer. The next thing you should start doing is search for people who are also interested in collecting Indian old coins. The internet today has helped in making this world a smaller place. It has become extremely easy to connect with a numismatist who is sitting at the other end of the world. As you start building your network and showcasing what you have, you are invariably going to start increasing the number of coins in your collection. And with every new addition of old Indian coins, you must also keep upgrading your knowledge accordingly.

These are very basic tips for someone who just wants to start building a collection of old Indian coins. Hope you like them!

When My Cousin Introduced Me to old Indian Coins

Stress is just a five letter word but has a lot of effect on our lives. There are unexpected situations in life that make us tensed for some or the other reason. There are different kinds of activities that you can indulge in to relieve stress. People like to be engaged in hobbies like painting, music sports etc. There are many communities who love collecting old Indian coins as well and I belong to one of them. Many friends and relatives ask me what is in this hobby that excites me so much. There is no definite answer to this question. All I know is that by collecting old Indian Coins, I forget all my troubling worries. 

There have been cases when I feel very low and my instant saviour has been my collection of old Indian coins. All I need to do is open my coin album and keep looking at whatever little I have collected until now. There is something about old coin of India that brings a smile on my face. I started collecting coins at a very young age. My cousin brother was a passionate collector and he introduced me once to his collection of marvellous Indian old coins. I still can’t forget that day when I kept pestering my cousin brother by asking him one question after the other about each and every coin that he had in his collection. Even though I thought I was troubling him, he kept answering all my doubts without any complaints. We sat together discussing about ancient coins of India for several hours. We started talking in the evening and only realised that it was midnight after my mother came up to me and asked us to go to bed. From the next day onwards I started building my own collection.

The first coin that I added to my collection was a bronze coin that was issued by Akbar – a coin which I borrowed from my cousin brother. There has been no looking back since then and today I have almost 300 old Indian coins issued by various emperors!

Luck vs Dedication While Collecting Ancient Indian Coins

Yes, luck does play a very important role in our lives. At times when we expect the least, life presents us with something to cheer about. These little celebrations stay with us for a long long time. But, luck chases those who dedicatedly follow a dream. Same is the case with collecting Ancient Indian Coins. Every collector goes through a lull period when they do not find what they are exactly looking for. Some have to even wait for years just to find one of those most desired old Indian coins. Patience pays off really well though. This hobby is not for the restless kinds. In fact, if you truly enjoy numismatics then you would enjoy the process of finding ancient Indian coins. 

Some ancient Indian coins are easily available in the market because they were issued in a large scale. But, some old Indian coins on the other hand are extremely rare since only a few of them were minted back then. It is really a challenge to acquire these rare ancient Indian coins. If you are a hardcore collector then you will accept this challenge and wait for several years just to find that coin you are seeking. The beauty of the hobby is not just the fact that they can fetch you a lot of money by selling them at auctions a few years from now, but the fact that you get to learn so many interesting aspects of Indian history in the process. The knowledge you gain is priceless. The money you make out of collecting old Indian coins is nothing when compared to this knowledge you acquire.

As they say, when you are passionate about something, the entire universe conspires for you to attain what you always desired. Like all things in life that are tough to attain or achieve, the idea is to keep at it, no matter what!

Lose to the Charms of Old Indian Coins

The general tendency for human beings is to like the new. What’s new and trending is what is loved by everybody; probably that’s how the human brain is wired. When we are born, everything we see around us is new to us, each new question makes us more curious and an answer makes us content fully. But the Old has its own charm as well. Very few might connect with this statement at the moment maybe. There are some things that become more beautiful as they keep getting older. It could be anything for that matter. Your old t shirt or an old lane which you used to walk on in your childhood days! Same is the case with Old Indian Coins. There are many collectors who are absolutely crazy about old Indian coins. The historical stories behind each of these Indian old coins make them even more precious.  

Each emperor had their style and way of minting coins during their regime. Ever wondered how coins were made long before coin minting machines were even invented? These coins were manually die-struck with a particular inscription or imagery. The earliest old Indian coins were called punch-marked coins. They were unlike any other coins that we see today as they were rectangular in shape and struck on just one side. The denomination used in those days was shatmanas. It had a common design on them. They were made of silver and many collectors love having these old Indian coins in their collection. There are many other old Indian coins that have been issued by various other emperors after that. Each one of them is distinct in their own way. Through the study of coinage one gets to realize how vast Indian history is.    

So as we keep embracing the new, don’t forget to stay connected with your roots and our wonderful history. One way to achieve this is by collecting old Indian coins.

Once a Collector of Old Indian Coins, always a Collector!

Collectors have their own interests. They like to specialize in certain kinds of coins. Numismatics is such a vast subject that the more you learn, the less it is. The world has been ruled by so many emperors. Each one might have issued a different coin under his or her regime. So imagine how many coins are out there to be collected. Just like every other collector, I like collecting Old Indian Coins. Except for British India coins and republic coins if India, I am always looking out for Indian old coins that have been issued from the ancient and medieval times. 

One of the first old Indian coins that I collected was the one I took from my uncle’s collection for free. My uncle was kind enough to give me a silver coin that was issued by Akbar the great. I was in the 6^th or the 7^th standard then and was reading about Akbar and Mughal history in my text books. Holding a coin that was issued under Emperor Akbar himself was an out of the world experience. I unknowingly started falling in love with history. From that point onwards I was always keen on collecting Indian old coins by hook or by crook. It was only when I grew up that I realized that collecting old Indian coins is a hobby that many pursue.  

After a point though, since I belong to a middle class family, I had to take up science and then engineering. Today, I have an IT job in a fairly good company. But somewhere deep down there, there is that collector in me which still wants to collect Indian old coins. I think, no matter what you end up doing, the coin collector in you will always make you keep collecting! Almost like you can’t take out water from the life of a fish!