Nitin Singhania Summary: Coins in Ancient and Medieval India- 2 | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

A significant quantity of ancient Roman coins spanning from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE has been discovered in various locations throughout India. Notably, the Krishna Valley in Andhra Pradesh and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu stand out as major sites where a substantial number of Roman coins were unearthed. Numismatists James Tod, James Prinsep, and Bishop Caldwell played pivotal roles in unraveling the patterns of ancient Indo-Roman trade by contributing significantly to the identification and understanding of these ancient Roman coins in India.

 Bishop Robert Caldwell 

The influx of Roman coins and bullions into India unfolded in three distinct phases:

Initial Phase

• Marked by a substantial influx of silver coins, particularly the Silver Denarii of ancient Rome, functioning essentially as bullion.
• These coins, with weights ranging from 3.4 to 4 grams, were predominantly discovered in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Second Phase (Gold Phase)

• Characterized by the introduction of gold coins or Aureus, weighing between 7 to 8 grams.
• Issued primarily by notable figures like Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero.
• Major Roman Gold coins were identified in various regions, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Minor Roman Gold coins were also uncovered in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Late gold coins from the 2nd to 3rd century CE were attributed to Antonius Pius and Septimius Severus.

 Lakshadweep Islands

Third Phase

• Late Roman copper coins, referred to as Folles, were discovered in significant numbers in Karur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
• Coins issued in the 4th century CE were attributed to the rulers Constantius II and Theodosius.
• Remarkably, Roman coins continued to be found in South India up to the 6th century CE.

In addition to these phases, some noteworthy features and observations include:

• Roman coins were utilized as models for minting coins by contemporary Indian rulers, resulting in the discovery of numerous Roman coin imitations at various sites.
• A distinctive slash mark is a common characteristic of most Roman coins found in India.
• The text "Periplus Maris Erythraei" identified three key regions—Barbarikon, Barygaza, and Muziris—as primary providers of the market for Romans.
• Roman clay bullae, dating back to the 4th-3rd century BCE to 200 CE, have been discovered widely across the Deccan and northern India, indicating a significant historical context.