The coins of India

This volume opens a window onto India’s long‑standing relationship with money, charting the rise of its coinage from the earliest punch‑marked pieces to the intricate issues of the colonial era. Drawing on the expertise of a seasoned numismatist, the author explains how each metal, design and inscription reflects the shifting powers, trade routes and religious ideas that shaped the subcontinent. The narrative weaves together clear descriptions with vivid anecdotes, making the technical aspects of weight, alloy and minting accessible to anyone with a curiosity about history.

Accompanied by twelve detailed plates, the book invites listeners to picture the glowing gold of the Mauryan empire, the intricate motifs of Gupta silver, and the bustling market scenes stamped on later British Indian issues. By linking the physical coins to the stories of the peoples who used them, the work fulfills the series’ aim of bringing scholarly insight to a wider audience, offering both a visual and intellectual treasure for the modern listener.