The History of Bengal (Vol. I: Hindu Period; Vol. II: Muslim Period 1200–1757) v1.c19.s9.12

v1.c19.s9.12

Epigraphic records belonging to the Gupta period mention two varieties of coins, viz. the *dīnāra* and the *rūpaka*, as media of exchange in purchasing land. It is generally held that the former (derived from the Latin *denarius aureus*) denotes the gold, and the latter, the silver coins of the Gupta monarchs. Concerning the rate of exchange between the two, we get valuable information from the Baigrām Plate (*supra* p. 49). The epigraph records purchase of land at the price of 6 *dīnāras* for 3 *kulyavāpas* and 8 *rūpakas* for 2 *droṇavāpas* in area, the customary price in that locality being 2 *dīnāras* for each *kulyavāpa*. As already stated, one *kulyavāpa* was equivalent to 8 *droṇavāpas* in area. It is thus clear that the rate of exchange between the *dīnāra* and the *rūpaka* coins was 1:16.