Answer: According to scholars, the most glorious period was Gupta Dynasty in ancient history. They ruled large part of the northern part of India from 4th century CE to 6th CE. Different scholar proved that Gupta Dynasty used gold coin for economic exchanges.
- Basically, Gupta monarch and king use gold coins as well as they use silver coins. However, coin is also made by other metals like copper, bronze alloy etc. Some academics refer to this phenomenon as the “rain of gold” due to the abundance of gold coins from the Gupta period.
- The reverse side of the coin depicted different types of the Gods like Laxmi, Durga, Ashvamedha Yagya, Ganga, Garuda etc.
- In medieval time continuous interfere of external monarchs or kings promoted to change the gold coins into other basic metals. Due to the numerous uprisings and succession, dynastic coins were quickly produced and demonetized.
- British Indian coins had a plain design with the monarch or queen’s picture on one side and text indicating the coin’s denomination and year on the other. After Independence the king’s portrait was replaced by the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar.
- Scholars have noted that the use of clay moulds by experienced mint masters allowed for the creation of such designs.
As a result, the superiority of Gupta numismatic art is mostly absent today.
