Coinage of Sangam Period

The Coinage of Sangam Period

• Sangam age Copper Coins are squire in shape.
• ‘Brahmi’ script was used in the Coins of Sangam Age.
• The Chera, the Cholas and the Pandya Kings issued Coins with their royal emblems namely bow & arrow, tiger,fish respectively in their coinage.
• Sangam period coinage existed between 300 B.C.E. and 300 C.E.
• Punch-Marked Coins are also in vogue during the Sangam age.

Coins of Sangam Period

Sangam Period

The Sangam Period existed between 300 B.C.E. and 300 C.E. in this period, Tamil Country was ruled by the three dynasties of crowned Kings viz. Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. The Chieftains like Adiyamans and Malayamans were also issued coins. Chera Chola and Pandya Kings issued Coins with their royal emblems, namely bow & arrow, tiger, fish respectively. As the Tamil Kingdoms existed with more power the contemporary Magadha Empire was not able to show their supremacy on Tamil Kings since the time of Asoka to AurangazebTamil Country acted independently. Pandya Kings printed their stylised fish symbol on the Magadha Punch-Marked Coins.

Maritime Trade

‘Neidhal’ is a land mass near sea and its surrounds. Towns of Neidhal region was called as ‘ Pattinam’ . This Pattinams were, located either on sea shore or on the mouth of a river. Ancient Tamil controlled sea breeze and sailed on seas as described by purnam.

“Naliyiru Munneer Navai Otti Vali thozil Anda Uravon Marga” (Puram -66)

Eyirpatnam, Sopatma (Marakkanam), Arikkamedu, Kaviripoompattinam, Thondi and Korkai were served as port cities at Guna Kadal ( Bay-of-Bengal). Among these ports Kaviripoompattinam acted as important port. Silapathikaram refers a very highlight house was existed on the short of Kaviripoompattinam. An ancient literature in Tamil describes.

“Ilanguneer Varaippil Kalangarai Vilakkam (Kadaladu Kodhai – 114)
At Westen Coast Thondi, (Thondi as like eastern coast) Maandai, Musiri (located on the mouth of river Periyar) Melkinda, Vizhignam served as important port cities as apart that Kumari located in the tip of peninsular India also acted as a port.

Sulliamperiyarru Vennara Kalanga, Yavanar thanda Vinanima Nankalam, Ponnudu Vandhu Kariyodu peryarum Valangezhu Musiri (Agam;149:9-11_

Eastern Coastal towns and Western Coastal towns were linked together with roads. commercial trade routes were also exists that time. Among the trade routes important high ways which connected Puhar to Western coast, which connected Palakkadu Coimbatore and Karur. Along this trade route we got foreign Coins like Roman, Maadha Punch-Marked Coins in good number of treasure-trove.

Sangam Chola Coin

Observe	Standing Tiger
Reverse	Standing Elephant
Metal	Copper
Period	300 BCE to 200 CE
Location	Tiruchirapalli Dist.

Sangam Pandya Coin

Observe	Standing Elephant
Reverse	Stylised Fish
Metal	Copper
Period	300 B.C.E. to 200 C.E.
Location	Madurai District

Sangam Chera Coin

Observe	Standing Elephant
Reverse	Bow and Arrow
Metal
Period

The Coinage of Post-sangam Period

• Kalabras came to power after the end of Sangam Age.
• Andipatty lead coins are of historical importance.
• These Coins are having Brahmi legend ‘Athinan Ethinan Senthan’