Analysis of ancient Indian silver punch-marked coins by external PIXE

Seven silver punch-marked coins were analysed using external particle induced X-ray emission technique. The main group of elements like Ag, Cu, Au, Pb and Fe were estimated along with a number of trace/minor elements such as K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni and Rb in the analysed silver coins. Gold was found in all the coins and varied between 0.7% and 6.2% indicating the better economic condition of that civilisation.

► The silver punch-marked coins, in the current study, were in use in India between 6th century BC to 6th century AD and have been analysed by in-air PIXE.
► These sets of coins have immense archaeological importance because of their very rare availability.
► These coins are distinguished from other coins because of the presence of gold as major element.
► While the British period coins were fabricated using modern technologies, the punch-marked coins were shaped manually with developed metal technology.
► The analysis of punch-marked coins using external PIXE beam has been done for the first time, which is unique of its kind.