The present Catalogue is the second Supplementary to the Catalogue of Coins. Vol. I by V. Smith, while the Catalogue by Pt. B. B. Bidyavinode is the first supplementary. It deals with the coins of ancient period of Indian History, which were collected by the Indian Museum, Kolkata after the publication of Smith's Catalogue. The Catalogue is published following the tradition of V. Smith and Pt. B. B. Bidyavinode. The coins dealt with in this catalogue cover the period from c. Sixth Century B.C. to the Gupta Age.
The book is divided into three sections; the first section consists of early indigenous coins of Ancient India, the second one deals with the coins Issued by the dynasties of foreign origin while the third section comprises of the coins issued by the Guptas. An Introduction emphasising the metrology of the coins has been added to each of the three sections. The value of the book lies in the fact that for the first time, Rupyamasa of ancient Indian literary tradition has been identified and presented here and in this book also have been published Karsapanas of 32 rati standard in round-drum-shape (led-puffed silver coins).
The Catalogue of Coins in the collection of Indian Museum. Calcutta. Vol. 1 by VA Smith was published in 1906. Then the first supplementary catalogue to it was published by B. B. Bidyabinode in 1932. Since then no catalogue for the series of coins included in Vol. I was published though the collection went on being enriched by new acquisitions The publication of a catalogue for the newly acquired coins is in constant demand from the museologists, scholars and general public. As a short term measure to meet this demand, this short catalogue comprising of four hundred and sixty three coins is presented. The Flan of this catalogue is as follows.
Section 1-Early Coins of Ancient India
Section II Coins issued by the Dynasties of Foreign Origin.
Section III-Coins issued by the Guptas.
Punch-marked coins, copper-cast coins local and tribal coins are included in Section 1 while in Section If the coin-issues by the kings of Indo-Bactrian Greek dynasty. Indo-Parthian dynasty, the Kusanas, and Sakas of Western India are included, besides, a group of coins of Alexander and his successors in West Asia is also treated in this section. The coins of the Guptas and some imitation coins in circulation in Eastern Bengal have been dealt with in Section III.
With a view to help the students of Numismatics with an illustrated catalogue this book has been published. Taking this norm into account, pages of the catalogue were written and revised within a very short time. And therefore, in this respect there might have been some lacunae which may need filling in future.
In fact. I was enthused and boosted up to write such a catalogue by Dr. Sachin Roy. former Director of this Museum. Along with, the encouragement also came from Dr. Amal Sarkar Publication Officer of this Museum. I am, indeed, indebted to the selfless support in writing out this book from these two scholar-officers of this institution. I am also indebted to Shri Benut Sen along with Shri Subhas Chakravarty and Shri Khirode Roy for preparing all photographs of the catalogue. My thanks are also to Shri Naren Roy for preparation of drawings of symbols, and to Shri Rathin Roy for the cover design. I express my gratitude to Sarvashri Gour Ghosh. Biren Biswas. Debabrata Chanda, and Smt. M. Gomes for proof-reading and to Shri Basudev Bhatttacharyya for typing out the manuscript.
Last but not the least. I owe my debt to the revered professor. Dr. D. C. Sircar whose scholarly works have always been a beacon-light in preparing this mini-catalogue and following Indian tradition. I express my deep regards to Dr. Sircar and offer my 'pranam' to him before beginning the textual protion of my catalogue.
The present catalogue prepared by Dr. S. P. Basu deals with some coins in the collection of the Indian Museum from the earliest times to the sixth-seventh century AD. The earliest coins known as the punch-marked issues were in circulation in different parts of the Indian sub-continent in the period ranging from the 4 century B.C. to the 2th century A.D. Along with these pieces the cast coins were also in vogue. Dr. Basu has also included in this catalogue the coins struck by some foreign powers, viz. Greeks, Sakas, Pahlavas and Kushanas. A few Gupta and post Gupta coins, so far uncatalogued, have also been dealt with in this catalogue.
The present publication which was out of print for a long time has been reprinted.
I believe that this reprinted edition will be of much use and help for the students as well as general people interested in Numismatics.
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