COINS
You may have noticed how wealth is measured in terms of coins in the story (The clever poor man). Archaeologists have found several thousands of coins belonging to this period. The earliest coins which were in use for about 500 years were punch-marked coins, such as the one shown below.
More to know about Punch-marked Coins
Punch-marked coins were generally rectangular or sometimes square or round in shape, either cut out of metal sheets or made out of flattened metal globules (a small spherical body). The coins were not inscribed but were stamped with symbols using dies or punches.
Hence, they are called punch-marked coins. These coins are found over most parts of the subcontinent and remained in circulation till the early centuries CE.
Other means of exchange
Read this short poem from the Sangam collection:
“As they carry the white paddy of their land
To exchange it for the salt of another,
Crossing the long roads in carts,
Through sands white as moonlight,
Taking whole families,
Who hate to be left behind,
The departure of the salt merchants
Leaves the city empty.”
Salt was produced plentifully along the sea coast.
Activity:
1. What are the merchants planning to exchange it with?
2. How are they travelling?
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK.