Ancient Indian Silver 'Bent Bar'

These fascinating large concave silver bars are considered to be the very first Indian coins ever struck. They originated from Gandhara Janapada around 600 BC and were struck for around 300 years until their production ended around 330 BC when Gandhara was conquered by Alexander The Great. The idea of struck, or punchmarked, coinage spread south and a variety of punchmarked coins were later produced in many other regions of northern and central India. Known as ‘Shatamanas’ or ‘Bent Bars’, they were struck to a regular weight standard and countermarked with the 6-armed Gandharan radiate solar symbol at each end. They vary in length and thickness but are generally around 38-40mm long and weigh around 11 grams. Gandhara was the centre of the spice and perfume trade at the time and its very name comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Gandh’ meaning ‘fragrant smell’. These are wonderful examples of a very important, exotic and early currency used by the spice and perfume traders in the ancient world. Only 10 of these available so get in quick. PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED