Collections. Numismatics & Epigraphy

The issue of regular dynastic coins began between the 2nd century B.C.E.. and 2nd century C.E., by the Indo-Greeks, the Saka-Pahlavas and the Kushanas.. The Saka coinage of the western Kshatrapas are dated to the Saka era of 78 C.E., thus placing them as the earliest dated coins.

It is with the Kushanas that a variety of interesting features emerge in Indian coinage. While portraiture is common to all the 'foreign' issues and the early indigenous issues inspired by them, the Kushana gold coins introduce us to a series of new concepts attributing divinity to royalty.

However, for sheer variety, aesthetic sensitivity and rich narrative content, the Gupta gold coins remain unsurpassed by any other coinage of ancient India. With the Gupta coinage (4th-6th century) begins a process of indigenization, Greek and West Asian deities got replaced by Indian divinities and Greek legends by Brahmi. Apart from legitimizing dynastic succession, Gupta gold coins commemorate significant socio-political events, like marriage alliances (king-and-queen type of coin of Chandragupta I) and artistic and personal accomplishments of royal members (Lyrist, Archer, Horseman, Lion-slayer). The iconographic representation of Puranic deities indicating the religious predilections of the Gupta monarch, and coin legends with grandiose royal titles are also significant landmarks.

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The coin collection of National Museum is remarkable for its variety, rarity and antiquity. It comprises of more than 1 lakh coins [1 lakh=100 000], the collection grew through gifts and purchases. The Parrukh, Jhalan, Nagu, Vyas and Deshikachari collections have contributed to making this one of the richest collections of India.

The history of Indian coinage is well represented in the Coins gallery of National Museum. The ancient series of silver punch marked coins of the 4th century B.C.E. and the coins of Indo Greek rulers are some of the oldest on display.

Gold coins of Kushana period, a gold coin of Sailodbhava dynasty with Vindya Shakti inscription, bi-lingual and bi-scriptial coins of Mahmud of Ghazani, gold coin of Delhi Sultanate and Provincial Sultans, Three Mohur and Asirgarh Mohur of Akbar, portrait coins and the Zodiac series of Jahangir, coins of Sangam Age, Ram Tanka of Vijaynagar period and South Indian coins along with the rare coins of Indian Princely States are the main attractions of this gallery.