Lectures on Ancient Indian Numismatics (Carmichael Lectures, 1921) c8.65

c8.65

Far more interesting than the classification of these symbols is their origin; and Mr. Theobald has done great service to the cause of ancient Indian numismatics by drawing our prominent attention to this fact. His attempt at explaining the origin of most of these marks, it is true, was not much successful, and many of his conclusions in regard to the origin of particular symbols will not commend themselves to archæologists. Nevertheless, he was the first to perceive that most of the symbols noticeable on the punch-marked coins "occur in such diverse lands as Assyria, Egypt, India and Scotland," and to trace at least fourteen of these signs which were identical with those figured on the sculptured stones of Scotland.¹ This raises an issue of paramount importance for the history of the world, and suggests a pre-historic origin of some of the marks punched on the Kārshāpaṇas. I will cite here two or three instances only to show what I mean. Take first the *svastika*, which is regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness in India to this day. We are so much accustomed to perceive this symbol in the modern homes as on the antiquities of India that we are apt to suppose that it is an auspicious symbol peculiar to this country alone.