Sikkas

Sikkas is a term used in numismatics to refer to a class of coins that are generally described in English-language scholarship as sikkas or sikka. The word sikka, meaning coin, comes from Persian and Arabic, and the plural sikkas appears in coin catalogs and research papers. The label is used across a wide geographic area, including the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and parts of the Near East, and for coins produced by various rulers and states over several centuries.

Sikkas were minted by a range of authorities, from ancient city-states and regional kingdoms to larger imperial polities. They were produced in multiple metals, including gold, silver, and copper, and in a variety of denominations. The coins often reflect local artistic traditions and political symbolism, and inscriptions on sikkas can be in scripts such as Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, Arabic, or local scripts, sometimes accompanied by portraits, emblems, or geometric motifs. The design and inscriptions can provide important information for dating and attribution, though many issues remain difficult to identify precisely due to wear, debased issues, or overlapping mintings.

Sikkas played a key role in trade and state finance, serving as medium of exchange, weight standards, and occasionally as official payments. They are an important source for reconstructing economic history, political boundaries, and cultural interactions across regions connected by ancient and medieval trade routes. Modern scholarship continues to refine classifications and attributions as new finds and hoards emerge.