CURRENCY

As the coins were made by hammering by hand, though they bore some stamp, they were of different sizes. They were not of same shape. But as coins came into circulation they were of great help to traders who roamed from village to village in those days. In each village they used to give coins and did transaction with businessman or his establishment to guarantee the purity and the weight of these coins, the sign of that businessman or establishment was stamped on each coin. Looking at the stamp, dealing took place in faith.
Among the ancient cions, a silver coin was known as ‘Shataman’. Ponimi has mention in his ‘Ashtya duyayi’ the coins known as Rupya, Karshapan and Kishk. In Jatak Kathas also mention of coins Nishk, Shatman, Krushnal, Suvarna and Karshapan is made. But twise ancient coins did not bear only mark and made of crude bars of metals. It is mentioned in the beginning that the coin Karshapan was made of copper. But during the later period, it is mentioned at many places that coins, made of silver were also called Karshapan.
The process of preparing coins is known as stamping . In this process the menta was heated and when it became soft, the necessary design or letters were stamped on them by applying pressure. Such coins belong to 400 B.C. period. The coins had designs of Badhivruksha, Swastik, lion, elephant etc on one or both sides. The coins were stamped on both sides simultaneously by holding the piece of metal between two stamps. Kumind, audumber, Youdhey city states etc had minted such beautiful found coins which have been discovered.

SHAKA YEAR COINS

The tradition of making coins started after human beings discovered metal. A man used to give metal balls in exchange for some articles that he needed. This practice was followed for a long period. With the changing times, the metal balls were coins made by melting. After that the coins bore symbols, images, royal symbol etc. The manes of the kings were engraved on them in different scripts. Then the Kshatraps in Saurashtra started a new tradition is the history on the coins, it seems. It was printing the Saka year on the coins. The issued by Mahakshatrap Jeevdaman are found in the museums.