The study of coins is called:

The study of coins (and other forms of currency, such as medals, tokens and paper money) is called "numismatics", and a person who studies or collects coins is called a "numismatist".

About numismatics:

• The word comes from the Latin "numisma" and the Greek "nomisma", meaning "coin".
• Numismatists study the metal, weight, shape, design, symbols, scripts, inscriptions and find-spots of coins.

Importance of coins for history:

• Coins give information about kings, dynasties, their dates, titles, religion and territory.
• The metal and purity of coins show the economic condition of a kingdom.
• The place where coins are found shows the extent of trade and the empire.
• Hoards (collections of coins buried together) show trade routes and economic activity.
• Some dynasties are known mainly from their coins, such as many of the Indo-Greek kings.
• NCERT explains that coins are an important source, and that the earliest coins in India, the punch-marked coins, were in use for about 500 years.

Important coins in Indian history:

• Punch-marked coins (6th century BCE onwards): the earliest coins.
• Indo-Greek coins: the first with portraits and names of kings.
• Kushana gold coins: issued in large numbers.
• Satavahana coins: of lead and potin, with ships on some.
• Gupta gold coins: very artistic, showing kings in different poses.
• Delhi Sultanate coins: the silver tanka and the copper jital.
• Mughal coins: the silver rupiya and gold mohur.

Institutions:

• The "Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies" is at Anjaneri, near Nashik.
• The "Numismatic Society of India" was founded in 1910.
• The RBI Monetary Museum in Mumbai displays the history of Indian money.

Related fields:

• The study of postage stamps is called philately.
• The making of maps is called cartography.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Epigraphy is the study of a different kind of source.
• ✗Philately is the study of postage stamps.
• ✗Cartography is the making of maps.