In the context of ancient Indian numismatics and political economy, the punch-marked coins predominantly circulated during the Mauryan period were primarily manufactured from which of the following metals?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Punch-marked coins, representing the earliest metallic currency of historic India, were crafted predominantly from silver and copper blanks stamped with various symbols using separate punches. These coins lacked inscriptions of issuing monarchs and derived their value from weight and purity, serving as vital instruments for trade during the Mahajanapada and Mauryan eras. Gold coins became widespread later under the Indo-Greeks and Kushans.