Coins are more than just metals used for transactions. Coins stand for dominance, power and legacy. When we look into history, we realize how coins were used as a tool to assert dominance and power by the rulers. Coins may vary from country to country, made with different metals boasting different messages, but these coins suggest the development of a nation. They connect the present to history and point towards where a country is headed in terms of economic and political development. Issuing coins has been a monumental step in any country’s past; therefore, let's look into coins and the coinage system with regard to world history. At Sikkaji, you can purchase 100 most valuable foreign coins, expanding your coin collection.
Coins have been in circulation for a very long time, and according to historians, the first coins appeared in Lydia (Turkey) around the 7th century, approximately 2500 years ago. These coins were instrumental in making trade more efficient and fair. Antique coins not only made the daily transactions convenient but also served as a tool for rulers and kingdoms to use as a political tool, these coins were made of different metals and contained the inscription of rulers, political and religious symbols, letters from certain languages that they wanted people to use more often, and subtly did its part to influence the culture of a territory. At Sikkaji, we have foreign coins for sale for numismatics who aim for a foreign coin collection.
India, once known as the “golden bird” due to its wealth, is one of those countries that is known for its coinage history, dating back to the Mahajanapadas in the 6th Century BCE in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. These coins had punch-marked designs, making them unique. These coins were made of silver and copper. The first gold coins were issued by the Kushan Empire under the rule of Vima Khadphises. The development of coins continued in different kingdoms of India. Buy Ancient India Nagas Of Padmavati Ganpati Naga Coin exclusively on Sikkaji.
India is the most invaded country in the world and the continued invasions created kingdoms in the northwestern region. In these regions, new forms of coins emerged, different in size, with foreign languages, complex coinage systems, making it hard for common people to understand and strike a fair deal. Under Mughal rule, metals and design changed with Persian calligraphy and distinct patterns. Two hundred years of British rule made the Rupee the standard currency and made it popular. After the independence, the interim government retained the previous coinage system and George VI coin were in circulation until new coins were issued by the government (1950).
The United Kingdom colonised almost half of the globe, colonising nearly 56 to 70 countries. When we talk about the country’s coinage history, the pound sterling stands as one of the oldest currencies in the world. The ancient British coins had the portraits of monarchs, and an emblem of the empire on the reverse side. Coin designs of all the commonwealth nations were heavily influenced by the British coins, like Indian rupees, African shillings etc, british old coin are popular for commemoratives and featuring national landmarks and Sikkaji sells some of the most popular coins like First world war centenary 1914-1918 british army silver coin.
France follows UK’s lead in colonising the world, as per the data the country has colonised over 90 territories that make up around 40 present nations. They colonised the African and Asian continent, where they were able to assert their dominance politically and economically. The first French Coin emerged in the 7th century, they were called deniers named after the Roman Denarius. In 1266, King Louis IX introduced the gold ecu and silver ecu, the term ecu meant several coins. In 1360, King John ll after being released from the British forces introduced a new form of currency “franc” which remained until 2002. During the french revolution in 1789 the use of the Livre and the Assignat was popularized. In 2002, franc was replaced with Euro and it became the official currency of France.
The African continent is blessed with abundant natural resources which made it prone to invasion.France, Britain and Portugal exploited the land and its people, heavily influenced culturally and religiously. Their coinage reflects its distinct culture, natural delights that it is blessed with and dark colonial past. In Ancient Egypt the use of cowries and manillas were in use. The first coins of Africa appeared in Egypt which were minted by King Amasis II, these coins had the symbols of Egyptian deities, made of gold. (570-526 BCE), the issuing of gold and silver coins continued in Ethiopia and the kingdom of Aksum; these coins had the portraits of the rulers.
During the colonial period the countries used the currency of the colonisers and local versions of those currencies or simple exchanged items. These foreign coins in Africa influenced their culture and politics. After independence, African countries came up with their own currencies boasting liberty and freedom. The Rand in South Africa , Ethiopian Birr in Ethiopia , Naira in Nigeria and so on. The African Union is considering adopting a common currency to unite all the African nations. Buy rare East Africa 1964 Senti Tano Five Cents Coin on sikkaji.
The first coins of Portugal were minted by King Afonso I. Dinheiro and Mealha were in use in the 12th Century. A new form of currency came into existence in the 14th century and replaced it for several centuries, the “Portuguese real” (1433- 1911). The coinage history of Portugal has an interesting history because its coins were made with the Brazilian and African resources, which were its colonies. After the republican revolution in 1911, the country adopted the Escudo till the euro became the official currency of Portugal in February 2002. 50 Centavos coin from Portugal, Available on Sikkaji reflects the Portuguese sentiments and the transformation their coinage system had undergone.
Sikkaji is one of the popular platforms where you can buy foreign coins for sale bearing authenticity. Coins are the custodians of history and culture and transcend time. These coins are not only used for economic purposes but also for historical records. These coins have been instrumental in reconstructing the history of ancient civilizations, empires and kingdoms. The metals used in the coins tell us about the discovery of gold, silver, copper, bronze and other metals. Portraits of rulers were used on the coins, such as the Victoria Queen coin, to signify might.
