Question

Coins made of metal first appeared in India during the _____.
A.Harappan Civilisation
B.Later Vedic Age
C.Age of the Buddha
D.Age of the Maurya

Answer 1

Hint: Even though coins are more likely to have emerged in the earliest years of the metal era, first officially documented excavation of coins point at a coinage in India between the 7th century BC and1st century AD. The coins were known as the 'punch-marked' coins because they were made by punching sheets of metal and carving them. They were largely made of silver, which was abundant at the time.

Complete answer:
 The coins are the representations of a trade currency which belonged to certain periods in history. First ever discovered coins were known as the ‘punch-marked’ coins and these were used between 7th century BC and 1st century AD. The carvings found on these coins were inspired by nature like the sun, various animal motifs, trees, hills etc. Others included geometrical symbols.
The coins were called Puranas, Karshapanas or Pana. Saurashtra coins had a unique set of symbols, one per each coin. These symbols represent power and prosperity and have pictures of humped bulls. Dakshin Panchala coin had the symbol of swastika and Magadha coins had several other symbols. These coins were made of silver of a standard weight but with an irregular shape. This was gained by cutting up silver bars and then making the correct weight by cutting the edges of the coin.
The time period of the first coins also marked the era of Buddhism as it was started in the time period of 6th century BCE. Buddhism was initiated in the eastern part of Ancient India, in the kingdom of Magadha where the first silver coins reached the trade.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: In ancient India, the first form of ‘money’ were cowry shells. Metals of a specific weight were used for trade in The Indus Valley Civilization and the evidence were found in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. The similarities between Punch marked coin symbols with the ones that were found in Indus were really close. Chalcolithic unmarked gold discs were discovered from the region of Eran, which are dated to 1000 BC are believed to be coins due to their lack of ornamental use.