Which rulers issued the largest hoards of gold coins in the c. first-century CE?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Kushanas
Coins in the subcontinent began with punch-marked coins of silver and copper (c. sixth century BCE onwards). The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing the names and images of rulers, c. second century BCE. The Kushanas went a step further: they issued the largest hoards of gold coins, c. first century CE. These coins were almost identical in weight with those of the Roman emperors and the Parthian rulers of Iran, and they have been found at several sites in north India and Central Asia, a sign of the enormous value of the trade of the time.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 23-05 S2* 24-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2025-26): “6.4 Coins and kings … Punch-marked coins made of silver and copper (c. sixth century BCE onwards) were amongst the earliest to be minted and used. These have been recovered from excavations at a number of sites throughout the subcontinent. Numismatists have studied these and other coins to reconstruct possible commercial networks. Attempts made to identify the symbols on punchmarked coins with specific ruling dynasties, including the Mauryas, suggest that these were issued by kings. It is also likely that merchants, bankers and townspeople issued some of these coins. The first coins to bear the names and images of rulers were issued by the Indo-Greeks, who established control over the north-western part of the subcontinent c. second century BCE. The kushanas, however, issued the largest hoards of gold coins first gold coins c. first century CE. These were virtually identical in weight with those issued by contemporary Roman emperors and the Parthian rulers of Iran, and have been found from several sites in north India and Central Asia.…”
Fig. 2.4 A Kushana coin |
