Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
1/4 Karshapana
| Issuer | Mauryan Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 322 BC - 185 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Irregular square copper flan bearing multiple punch-marked symbols characteristic of the Mauryan coinage tradition. The field displays an arrangement of symbolic devices including what appears to be a curved or arched motif in the upper right, a broad crescent or bow-like element to the left, and at least two arrow- or leaf-shaped symbols in the lower portion of the field. The devices are applied by individual punch dies, each impression slightly irregular in placement, consistent with the hand-punched technique of the period. The surfaces show an even brown patina with traces of green copper oxidation, and the flan edges are rough and uneven from casting. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Plain or nearly plain reverse field typical of fractional Mauryan copper punch-marked coinage, exhibiting a largely flat, undecorated surface with a single small circular counterstamp or banker's mark visible slightly left of centre. The flan surface is pitted and granular with a uniform brown patina and scattered green cuprite encrustations. The edges remain rough and irregular, consistent with a cast and hand-cut flan. No additional symbols or legends are present. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Mauryan copper fractions remain among the least systematically documented coins in South Asian numismatics. Unlike the silver karshapanas — which carry punch-marked symbols attributable with some confidence to specific reigns or regional issuing authorities — the copper subdivisions circulated through a far wider social stratum and were almost certainly produced by local mints operating under loose imperial sanction rather than direct Pataliputra oversight.
Kautilya's Arthashastra, the administrative treatise associated with the Mauryan state, actually specifies the permissible alloy tolerances and weights for copper coinage, suggesting quality control was a formal concern — however inconsistently enforced.