Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c17.s1.1

c17.s1.1

— The most ancient coinage of India, which seems to have been developed independently of any foreign influence, follows the native system of weights as given in Manu VIII, 132 ff. The basis of this system is the *rati* (*raktikā*), or *guñjā*-berry, the weight of which is estimated at 1,83 grains = ,118 grammes. Of the gold standard coin, the *suvarṇa* of 80 *ratis* = 146,4 grs. or 9,48 grms., no specimens are known; but of the silver *purāṇa* or *dharaṇa* of 32 *ratis* = 58,56 grs. or 3,79 grms., and of the copper *kārṣāpaṇa* of 80 *ratis* (same weight as the *suvarṇa*), and of various multiples and sub-divisions of these, numerous examples have been discovered in almost every part of India.