Punch-Marked Coins: Rare Karshapana Indian Pieces

HomeCoinsAsia coinsIndia coins

Punch-Marked Coins
Rare Karshapana Indian Pieces

FIND PUNCH-MARKED KARSHAPANA COINS FOR SALE

Punch-marked coins from ancient India began to be made in the sixth century BC. Made of silver, punch-marked coinage represents some of the oldest numismatic collectibles in the marketplace. Some of these coins, which are usually called “punch-marked” or karshapana coins (after their monetary denomination), are relatively pricey. But there are countless beautiful examples of authentic punch-marks that are very affordable. The only trick is to find them before other buyers do.

Punch-marked coins of ancient India are a great investment and are fascinating items in and of themselves. The cost of a given karshapana coin is quickly proven to be worth it. Every coin collector knows the deep satisfaction of flipping his or her album open to that special page and gazing at that centuries-old coin. This is a real currency piece from the subcontinent; it’s here, right in front of you. A physical connection to the distant past!

See also: Japan rare coins for collectors and other buyers

About Punch-Marked Coins

Indian punch-marked coins, by their nature, are irregularly-shaped, often squarish, but precisely weighted. Rather than sporting faces with designs in the traditional numismatic sense, these coins were blobs of silver stamped or “punched” with one or more simple shapes. You can find karshapana coins with religious swastikas, animals, trees, geometric shapes, etc. A great idea for a karshapana collection is to try to secure as many different punches as you can. Even more interestingly, different geographical areas tended to use different symbols for their punch-marks. You can travel around the ancient area via your coin collection.

Punch-marked coins stopped being produced in the 100s BC.

Buyer beware: Some sellers use the shorter word karshapan in their sales listings. Be sure if doing a search that you look for all such varieties so you don’t miss out on a great coin at a great price.

Browse 233 current Punch-marked karshapana coins for sale offers here

In south India punch-marked coins proved particularly popular. Later states, such as the Maurya Empire which stretched over most of the modern subcontinent, made extensive use of their own punch-marked coins.

Interesting historical footnote: The English word “cash” is derived from “karsha”, by way of Tamil and then Portuguese.

About Buying Punch-Marked Coins Online

The world of karshapana coin collecting can be as involved as you want it to be. The coins are pretty easy to find for sale. Look through online sales listings to see what coins are available now. The selection online changes constantly and there are always new karshapanas, calling your name and hoping for good spots in your collection.

Start looking for these great coins and you could find yourself agreeing with what many other collectors have discovered: punch-marked coins may very well be the most fun coins in the world to collect! 

Punch-marked karshapana coins for sale

Currently showing our top 232 sales from eBay vendors, and our favorite 1 sale from Amazon sellers. Click for shipping details and money-back guarantee info. Punch-marked karshapana coins listings are chosen using MegaMinistore's original custom technology. We show you only the latest and best sales from safe, trusted sellers. Sales are updated and refreshed every day.

When you click a link to a merchant and make a purchase, it can result in this website earning a commission. Affiliations include, but are not limited to, eBay Partner Network. 

Showing 1 - 10 of 233

-185 IN Ancient India Gandhara Pushkalavati 1 1/2 Karshapana Local Civic Coin 185-165 B.C 1 1/2 Karshapana Very Good

Seller: CAZ World Coins,Banknotes and Books ★★★★★★★★★★ 96.6% (1,657 ratings)
Location: United States

$49.99

In Stock

MAURYAN EMPIRE 320 BC Ancient ANTIQUE Indian Sun Karshapana Coin SYMBOLS i108394

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$497.00
$248.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

MAGADHA SAMPRATI 216BC Ancient Indian MAURYAN EMPIRE Sun Karshapana Coin i96266

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$797.00
$398.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

MAGADHA SAMPRATI 216BC Ancient Indian MAURYAN EMPIRE Sun Karshapana Coin i112777

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$577.00
$288.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

MAURYAN EMPIRE 320 BC Ancient ANTIQUE Indian Sun Karshapana Coin SYMBOLS i110124

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$747.00
$373.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

MAGADHA SAMPRATI 216BC Ancient Indian MAURYAN EMPIRE Sun Karshapana Coin i113840

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$397.00
$198.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

MAGADHA KINGDOM 430BC Ancient Indian PRE-MAURYAN EMPIRE Karshapana Coin i99912

Seller: highrating_lowprice ★★★★★★★★★★ 100% (27,177 ratings)
Location: United States

50% OFF
$1,249.50
$1,248.50 or best offer

Limited-time deal. Buy It Now Price

India,​ Mauryan Empire,​ silver karshapana,​ c. 400-100 BC,​ standing human figures

Seller: bermondseycoins ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.4% (4,441 ratings)
Location: United Kingdom

$77.54 or best offer

Buy It Now Price

India Magadh Maha Janapada punch mark silver 300 BCold .3 HUMAN FIGURES rare

Seller: foirow-0 ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.4% (322 ratings)
Location: India

$69.00 or best offer

Buy It Now Price

India,​ Mauryan Empire,​ silver karshapana,​ c. 400-100 BC,​ elephant with taurines

Seller: bermondseycoins ★★★★★★★★★★ 99.4% (4,441 ratings)
Location: United Kingdom

$161.55 or best offer

Buy It Now Price

Show
1 - 10 of 233

Browse more on MegaMinistore