Which one of the following statements about coins struck during 200 BCE to 300 CE in the Indian sub - continent is not correct?
CAPF 2022
A. The Indo-Greeks introduced bilingual and biscript legends on their coins.
B. The Kushanas minted large quantities of gold coins as well as copper coins of low denomination.
C. The Satavahanas issued coins of silver, copper, lead and potin.
D. Absence of Negama coins suggests the declining power and authority of merchant guilds.
Answer: Absence of Negama coins suggests the declining power and authority of merchant guilds.
Option d is the correct answer.
The absence of Negama coins after the 3rd century CE does not suggest the declining power and authority of merchant guilds. In fact, merchant guilds continued to be powerful and influential during this period. Negama coins were a type of guild currency created by Taxila merchants for local trade in the Gandhara region.
Important Tips
The term "negama" refers to the guild, and these coins featured a recumbent bull on the front side, along with the Brahmi legend "Negama" above. On the back side, there was a lion's head facing, with a monogram to the left and the Kharoshthi legend "Negama" above. These coins were known for their fine bull detailing and linguistic legends.