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Numismatic Section of the Department |
Coins are contemporary document in metal.
Over the years, they have played important role in the study,
construction and re-construction of the history. Their
remarkable contribution is universally recognized. Coins were
struck by rulers in exercise of their royal prerogative. Many
rulers, who were unknown to history, have been noticed and
studied by their coins.
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Govt.
of Rajasthan possesses a rich collection of coins, ranging in
date from 6th century BC to the mid 20th
Century. Earliest types of coins are of punch marked variety.
These are hammered silver pieces in irregular shapes- circular,
square or rectangular. They do not bear name of any ruler or
date, but only symbols. Scholars believe that they remained in
circulation from 6th century BC to about 2nd
century AD and are found from all over the country.
Chronologically, Kushana rulers issued coins
in their names. Our collection has copper coins of Kadphises-II
and Kanishka. Next comes coins issued by Gupta Emperors
(320-455) Kach Gupta, Samudra Gupta, Chandragupta-II, Skandgupta
and of Kumargupta, these are in silver and gold. Gupta coins
show portrait of the ruler and their lord, these are highly
artistic and finished in minute details.
Beside these the collection has a few Indo-
Greek and large number of Indo-Sassanian coins in silver. The
second millennium AD brings innumerable variety of coins issued
by Sultans of Delhi, Mughal Emperors, Royal State of Rajasthan,
East India Company and the British crown. Some of the
representative types are included in here.
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