Bent-bar silver
5th century BCE – 2nd century CE ・ silver ・ 5th century BC ・ Northwestern Indian subcontinent
A currency made simply by bending a silver bar and stamping marks on both ends. It is held by the Indian Museum in Kolkata, with the accession number ASB 1. The date range is recorded as from the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It is not round, nor is a denomination inscribed on it. Nevertheless, the stamped marks indicate that this silver was verified by someone. This bar does not yet answer the question of what currency is. Here lies its form before it had an answer.