The Coinage of Ancient India/S.R. Goyal. 1995, xxxiv, 502 p., plates, $59.
Contents: Preface. 1. Importance of numismatics for the study of ancient history. 2. Sources and historiography of ancient Indian numismatics. 3. General features of ancient Indian coinage. 4. Origin and antiquity of Indian coinage. 5. Punch-marked and other early Indian coins. 6. Local (including tribal and Naigama) coins. 7. The Indo-Greek coinage. 8. Coinage of the Sakas, Pahlavas and western Kshatrapas. 9. Coinage of the Kushana kings. 10. Coinage of the Satavahanas. 11. Coinage of the imperial Guptas: general features. 12. Coinage of the imperial Guptas: gold coin types. 13. Coinage of the imperial Guptas: silver and copper coins. 14. Coins of the later contemporaries and immediate successors of the imperial Guptas in north India. Appendices: 1. Historiography of the punch-marked coins. 2. Historiography of the tribal and local coins. Addenda. Bibliography. Index.
"Coins constitute a major source of information for the history of ancient India. But a study of ancient Indian coins in a comprehensive and scientific manner at one place has been a desideratum till now which the present work from the erudite pen of Professor S.R. Goyal, one of the greatest living authorities on Indian history seeks to fulfil. Dr. Goyal, famous for his authoritative and highly acclaimed works on ancient Indian political history, epigraphy and religions, has already carved a niche for himself as a numismatist by his Indigenous Coins of Early India, An Introduction to Gupta Numismatics and The Dynastic Coins of Ancient India. The present monograph covers the entire period dealt with in these monographs. It is divided into fourteen chapters and contains a detailed bibliography, numerous photographic representations and linedrawings. On many a numismatic problems it sheds new light and suggests new solutions. It will surely be a big help to the teachers, researchers and students of ancient Indian numismatics and shall remain an authoritative work on the subject for decades to come." (jacket)
[S.R. Goyal retired as Professor and Head, Department of History, J.N.V. University of Jodhpur. His books include Indigenous Coins of Early India, A History of Indian Buddhism and A Religious History of Ancient India.]