Object Number: VRM10325

Dimensions: 0.15 x 0.13 cm

Material: Silver

Find Location: Rohanpur, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh

Date: c.6th-2nd Century BCE

Punch-marked coins were manufactured by hammering thin metal sheets or bars that were then cut into squares, oblongs or discs. These coins were then clipped to adjust their weight, and therefore value. They were then punched with dies bearing different symbols, which is how these coins acquired their name. Die marks range from cosmic symbols and animals to anthropomorphic figures, as can be seen on the obverse of this coin from Rohanpur. Staying in circulation long after production, many of their die stamps overlap, suggesting that they were stamped at different times, perhaps part of a periodic process of confirming value.  

Punch-marked coins date to South Asia’s Early Historic period and were part of a widespread technological, economic and political developments. Major fortified cities were established, such as Mahasthangarh. This site was large, covering 185 hectares, and was surrounded by moats and ramparts that measure six metres high.

Cities like Mahasthangarh were part of kingdoms known as janapadas. These developed through competition and conquest into 16 mahajanapadas, each with a capital city, ruler and government administration. The competition between mahajanapadas has been described as mātsyanyāya, or the ‘maxim of the fish’, where larger fish prey on those that are smaller, before being consumed by larger fish themselves.

This process culminated in the founding of the Mauryan Empire by Chandragupta Maurya (r. 325-321 – 297 BCE). His grandson Asoka (r. 272-268 – 235 BCE) was known for his edicts and teachings, relating to religion, philosophy and governance, which were carved on rock outcrops and stone pillars. A Brahmi inscription from Mahasthangarh is thought to demonstrate Mauryan control of what is now modern Bangladesh.

The symbol of a peacock above a hill, as seen on the reverse of this coin, and partially on the corner of the obverse of the Rohanpur coin, has been identified as a symbol of the Mauryans - the Sanskrit term for peacock being mayūra.