"coinage plays a valuable role in …

Coins are as important as the inscription in history. They confirm the information derived from literature. They are of various metals: gold, silver, copper, or alloy and contain legends or simple marks. Those with dates are probably very valuable for the framework of Indian chronology. Coins are almost our sole evidence with regarded to the Indo Scythian and Indo Bactrian King. The Bilingual coins had served as Rosetta Stones in deciphering the Ancient Indian writings. India authors having completely ignored the latter expect Menandar. The purity of the metal reflects the financial conditions of the time. The inscription on the coin indicates territory over which the rulers ruled. Some coin throw significant light on the personal events of certain rulers like Samudra Gupta. Vehicle of Vishnu inscribed on some coin indicate that Samudra Gupta was a devotee of that deity. Veena bears out his love for music. The discovery of the same kind of coins at different places helps up in fixing the coverage of various kingdoms in ancient India.