Karshapana (punch-marked silver coin)

The Cleveland Museum of Art's description reads—Early Indian coinage was cut into irregular shapes and stamped with a wide range of marks. Deeply struck marks certified that the coin was pure silver to its core. Instead of standardizing the shape, the content was guaranteed by the depth of the marks. This was the first method chosen on the subcontinent. Cut to match the weight, and marks are layered. The marks told who struck it, and their depth told what it was made of.