[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Minerals and Metals in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996) › v2.c41.s8.1 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s8.1 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s8.1 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c41.s8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s8.1) The \*Arthaśāstra\* described a system of coinage based on silver and copper. One silver \*paṇa\* had a specific weight \*karṣa\* or \*suvarṇa\* equalling 16 \*māsakas\*; its composition was one \*māsaka\* of hardening alloy (iron, tin, lead or antimony), 4 of copper and the rest or 11 of silver. Half-, quarter- and one-eighth \*paṇa\* coins had proportionally smaller weights but the same alloy composition as that of a \*paṇa\*. The weight of one \*māsaka\* copper coin was probably the same as that of a silver \*paṇa\*. The \*māsaka\*, half \*māsaka\*, quarter \*māsaka\* known as the \*kākaṇī\*, and half \*kākaṇī\* copper coins (progressively lower weights) had the same composition, viz., one-quarter hardening alloy and the rest copper (2.12.24). - [Previous: v2.c41.s7.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s7.8) - [Next: v2.c41.s8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s8.2) - [Up: v2.c41.s8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s8) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya.2.12) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s8.1) · Pramāṇa