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Karshapana
| Issuer | Saurashtra Janapada (Janapadas (pre-Mauryan)) |
|---|---|
| Year | 200 BC - 1 BC |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 4.5 g |
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| Obverse description | Irregular square flan bearing an arrangement of multiple punch-marked symbols in the field. A prominent central vertical staff or pillar motif is flanked on the left by a taurine or bull symbol accompanied by a small ankh-like device, and on the right by a standing human or deity figure with outstretched arms. Additional symbolic punches, including a crescent or serpentine motif, appear in the upper field. A horizontal line divides the lower portion of the flan, typical of Saurashtra regional coinage. All devices are applied by individual punch tools in the characteristic janapada tradition. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Plain irregular square flan with largely uninscribed surface, displaying the characteristic dark green patina of ancient bronze. Faint residual impressions of one or two small punch marks are visible near the lower-centre field, likely the result of die bleed-through or secondary punching. The surface shows natural granular corrosion consistent with prolonged burial, and areas of exposed bronze metal are visible at the corners where the patina has been disturbed. No primary design elements are present, consistent with the reverse treatment typical of Saurashtra janapada karshapanas. |
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| Additional information |
The Saurashtra janapada occupied the peninsula now known as Kathiawar in Gujarat, and its punch-marked and cast bronze issues circulated within a regional economy largely independent of the Gangetic monetary system. Most karshapanas are silver and tied to the main artery of Mauryan and pre-Mauryan trade — a bronze karshapana from a western peninsular janapada is a distinctly local instrument, reflecting markets where silver coinage had less penetration.
The two-century date range assigned to this piece reflects genuine scholarly uncertainty; attributing these regional bronzes precisely remains difficult given limited stratified excavation data from Saurashtra sites.