The Indian Coinage Tradition: Origins, Continuity and Change

Joe Cribb (born Brighton, Sussex, 30 October 1947) has worked as a curator in the British Museum’s Department of Coins and Medals since 1970, after graduating BA Honours in Latinj from the University of London. His work has been recognized by thje Royal Numismatic Society Silver Medal, 1996, and the Hirayama Institute of Silk Road Studies (Kamakura) Award, 1997. In 2003 he became Keeper of Coins and Medals. His areas of responsibility have covered all aspects of Asian monetary history. He curated the 1986 exhibition Money from Cowrie Shells to Credit Cards, and in 1997 lead the team which created the British Museum’s HSBC Money Gallery. His publications, numbering over one hundred and fifty, represent a wide range of interests. His major contributions on Asian money are Money in the Bank – an Illustrated Introduction to the Money Collection of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (1987); A Catalogue of Sycee in the British Museum, Chinese Silver Currency Ingots, c.1750-1933 (1992); Magic Coins of Java, Bali and the Malay Peninsula (1999). He has also co-authored four general books on coinage: Money from Cowrie Shells to Credit Cards (1986); Coin Atlas (1990); Money – A History (1997); The Chand Collection – Ancient Indian Coins (2003), and one on ancient Central Asian Art: Crossroads of Asia (1992). His picture book Eyewitness Guide – Money (1990 and 1999, second edition) has been published in numerous foreign language editions. In 2004 he was elected President of the Royal Numismatic Society, and served as its Secretary 198301994. He is also a member of the central committee of the Oriental Numismatic Society.