Coins of the Kadambas
The Kadamba kings ruled over large areas of Karnataka from the 4th to 14th centuries A.D. They minted a large number of interesting coins. The majority of these are of gold but some copper coins are also known. Most of the coins were produced by the punching method. Each alphabet or symbol on the coins has been punched with a different punch. The main device or design is punched at the centre of the coin. Often, this is punched so deeply that the coin assumes the shape of a concave saucer or cup.

A few rare Kadamba gold coins have been produced by a queer combination of the die-striking and the punch-marking techniques. These coins display on one side, a die-struck design, while the other side features a series of symbols, punched one after the other.

The Kadamba coins are generally known as padmatankas (lotus coins) as the central symbol on the obverse of most of them is the lotus (padmtt). The obverse of some Kadamba coins features the lion instead of the lotus.

Coins of the Chalukyas
The Chalukyas minted coins in gold, silver and copper. Some of the gold coins of the Kalyana Chalukyas are plated coins as they are of a base-metal core covered or plated with a thin layer of gold. Each design or symbol on the Chalukya coin has been impressed by a separate punch, and like the Kadamba coins the ones of the Chalukyas too assume the form of a concave saucer or cup.

The most common device on the obverse of the Chalukya coins is the varaha or boar. Religious symbols such as the lamp, lotus and conch sometimes appear around the boar. On a few rare coins, the sun and moon symbols are depicted above the boar - the moon as a crescent while the sun is shown as a circle or pellet. The varaha, was the royal emblem of the

Coins of the Vijayanagara dynasty
The Vijayanagara monarchs had a separate department in charge of minting of coins. The main mint was located in Hampi while smaller mints were established at Penukonda, Tirupati and many other places.The Vijayanagara coins are of gold, silver and copper, All the coins are circular in shape and some have been modelled on those of earlier dynasties such as the Hoysalas and the Pandyas. The most beautiful Vijayanagara coins are those featuring the images of various Hindu gods and goddesses and also the symbols, animals and birds associated with these deities. The earliest Vijayanagara coins feature Hanuman and Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu. These kings also issued gold coins featuring divine couples - Siva and Parvati, Narayana and Lakshmi, Brahma and Sarasvati and Rama and Sita.

Krishnadeva Raya issued many coins featuring Bala Krishna (baby Krishna). Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of the temple at Tirumala (Tirupati) also figures on Vijayanagara coins.

Coins of the Keladi Nayakas
The Ikkeri or Keladi Nayakas who are a very well known dynasty issued a number of coins which are mostly of gold or copper. The designs and figures on the Nayak coins are similar to that of the Vijayanagara coins. Even the size and weight of the Nayaka coins are almost identical to the Vijayanagara coins. Some of the most beautiful Nayak coins have been issued by Sadasiva of Keladi. One of his gold coins depicts Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati seated next to each other. Another gold coin of the same ruler features the mythical bird, Gandaberunda. This coin is almost identical to the Gandaberunda coins minted by the Vijayanagara ruler, Achyuta Raya.

Coins of the Wodeyars
The Wodeyars minted coins in gold, copper and rarely, silver. They had large mints at Srirangapattanam. The Wodeyar coins are similar to the Vijayanagara coins in size, shape, weight and it is often very difficult to differentiate a Wodeyar coin from a Vijayanagara coin.Many of the Wodeyar coins feature Hindu deities such as Lakshmi-Narasimha and Siva-Par van. The Wodeyar coins bear the name of the ruler in Nagari script. Several Hindu families preserve and worship the Wodeyar coins bearing figures of deities.

While Hyder Ali issued coins in gold and copper, Tipu Sultan minted coins in silver as well. All these coins are circular in shape. Although Hyder Ali was a Muslim ruler, he issued many coins featuring Hindu deities to please the Hindus who formed the majority in his kingdom. A popular gold coin of Hyder Ali shows Lord Siva with his consort Parvati seated on his left thigh.

The coins of Tipu Sultan exist in far greater variety and number that those of his father. Tipu issued coins from twelve major mints spread throughout South India. He accorded fanciful names to some of his mint-towns. For example, die mint-town of Gooty in Andhra was called Faiz Hisar or the `fort of bounty.` Similarly, Satyamangalam near Coimbatore was called Salamabad or `die city of peace`. French artisans and die-cutters were employed in some of these mints.

Many coins of Tipu Sultan feature the elephant in varied poses. The elephant is generally shown adorned with a shawl and anklets. On some coins, a flag is seen above the elephant. The flag features a star within a square. The coins of Tipu bear inscriptions indicating the mint and date of the coin.