Ancient Kashmir Coinage

Thanks for the kind words guys!



I hope so Bob...
Due to the lack of easy to obtain information out there, my aim is to produce a visual reference that is as user friendly as possible for future collectors,so they don't have to go through the same difficulties that I've experienced in attributing these coins.For example learning how to read Nagari script albeit at a basic level...I'm learning all the time as something new crops up and at the moment working on the generally neglected reverse legends..



A bit of both Steve...but after a while you can spot a rare one a mile off!
This one was attributed but spelt wrong so I basically stumbled across it...this being another problem with the series.Depending on which limited references you use, the dates of govern and the actual spelling of the rulers name varies..I now have 12 different search phrases which seems to pull out the majority of the coins,but there's always some that escape..A few of the more uncommon rulers have come from 6 or 8 coin lots described as 'Didda Rani'

Paul

Another rare ruler!...With a nice clear 'Cha' to the right of the goddess...

Stumbled upon this one accidently

Chakravarman 923 -933 and again 936-937 AD
After the death of his crippled father Nirjitavarman in 923 AD, Chakravarman ascended to the throne(though still a child)under the guardianship of his mother and grandmother and reigned for 10 years until being ousted by the Tantrins (a powerful military caste of unknown origin).Basically over the next 3 years the Tantrins became more powerful using puppet kings such as Partha and Suravarman(other sons of Nirjitavarman from different wives)to gain wealth.
Whilst all this turmoil was in progress Chakravarman befriended a powerful damara named Samgrama forming a large army and in early 936 AD the Tantrins led by Suravarman and the Damaras led by Chakravarman met at Pampore about 11km from the ancient capital Srinagar.The Tantrins were completely routed with Chakravarman killing his stepbrother Suravarman on the battle field.
Chakravarman was then reinstated as king but over the next two years became obsessed by the two daughters of a court musician Hamsi and Nagalata marrying them both and making Hamsi the chief queen(a bad move as they were from a very low caste) and is said to have embarked on a life of debauchery and self pleasure.(well you would, wouldn't you?)
He soon forgot about the help that the Damaras had given having many of them excecuted.(You can see this one coming!)Hatred and chaos ensued and in 937 AD it is said he was murdered by the Damaras in the arms of his queen...

Paul

Thanks Bob!

I've revised the reference chart to include the revese due to the research I'm knee deep in at the moment..

Hope this helps anyone who is collecting these coins..Paul

March 28th 2018

Thanks Steve!
On your first point...I don't know how serious you want to get into this series so I'll PM you with some contacts..


Probably closer to two centuries and it's a real 'grey' area, and not much out there! But it's an era I will look into in the near future..
As for Toramana II coins I have zero but again an area I will move into soon...'one on the way' and have done quite alot of research over the last year, already having quite a few irregularities that I need to clear up before diving in..

Paul

The Kashmiri rarities keep coming! Congrats, Paul. What a collection: tightly focused, thorough in its coverage, and increasingly important. Great work.

Thank you Bob and Ron!

Will post an upgraded reference chart at the end of the month with some small date changes and some new coins I'm working on at the moment...I'm getting good feedback from some new collectors who are using this chart to attribute coins and hopefully this will increase as the set grows...

Paul

Hi guys need some unbiased help to determine if these Jayasimha coins are a diematch..

As far as I know a die match has never been found in this series so it would be great news if they are.
These coins are rare enough individually but as a match.
I've gone cross eyed and over-biased so need someone to put me straight one way or the other..Thanks

Any thoughts from the pros?

Paul

My completely non-expert opinion is the same - first side probably a match, second side probably not.