Chandrapur: A team of archaeologists have recovered a rare silver punchmark coin that was in circulation in the 6th Century BC.
The archaeologists from Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, State Archaeology Department and the Chandrapur Chapter of Indian Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) had taken up the excavation work at Chandankheda village of the district.
The coin was discovered on March 9 from the lowest level of the trench that is being excavated.
"The earlier recoveries from the site include coins belonging to British, Mughal, Bahamani, Kalchuri, Vishnukundi and Nal Dynasty era, thus indicating that Chandankheda might have been a flourishing trade centre during Satavahana period (230 BC)," Ashok Singh Thakur, Convenor of INTACH said.
Recovery of this particular coin suggests that the place was indeed a renowned place even before that period as the coin belongs to 600 BC during which the punch mark coins were prevelant, Thakur, who is also the co-director of the project, said.
Punch marks are unique on the ancient coins and are indicative of their use in a particular state or 'janpad' during the respective periods, he said.
