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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
There is a decent write-up on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_SatrapsThe last ruler of the first dynasty established a long series of silver coinage:   Drachm of Nahapana (~105-124) - Mitchiner#2682-2684 His coins show a recognisable portrait and Greek inscription on the obverse, traces of the "...HAPA..." are visible on the coin above. The reverse shows a central symbol surrounded by an inscription in Kharoshthi. After Nahapana another family basing their foundation on the year 78 took over - this year is the start of the Saka Era. Here one coin from one of the rulers:   Drachm of Visvasena (294-304), dated SE215 (293) - cf.Mitchiner#2784-2785 Coinage in the name of Visvasena as Kshatrapa was issued during the last years of the reign of his father Bhartrdaman as Mahakshatrapa. (Similar to the Caesar and Augustus system in the Roman Empire.) This coin shows the general design which was followed till the end of the Western Satraps in 395. On the obverse a stylised portrait with no inscription except the date behind the head. The date is often either totally off the flan or not legible. On the reverse the Kharoshthi inscription around the central symbol being a three-arched hill plus minor symbols. A guide to read those coins: http://people.bu.edu/ptandon/WK-Legends.pdfPostscript: There is a short write-up on the coinage and fakes encountered recently http://www.ancientcoins.ca/fake_ksh...hatrapas.htmEdited by Medieval
10/16/2014 04:20 am
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Pillar of the Community
 3772 Posts |
The Guptas defeated the Western Satraps and took their territory over. But they continued their coin design:   Drachm of Kumaragupta I (414-455) for the western provinces - Mitchiner#4845-4854 The key design is the same with the central symbol on the reverse been replaced by a stylised Garuda. The coin design survived the fall of the Gupta Empire, as can be seen from:   Drachm of the Maitrakas of Valabhi (~470-800), anonymous issue - Mitchiner#4887-4891 The Garuda is replaced by a trident-type symbol. |
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Pillar of the Community
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5155 Posts |
Now we are cooking with Crisco. I have a ton of coins to share. Go back and search and see, for the last couple years I have been muddling around India nearly alone...
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Moderator
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23731 Posts |
Nice coins, links and historical information. Nice to see that there are more of us interested in these type of coins. I post some of mine later.
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Quote:
I have a ton of coins to share. Thought you would (or at least should) be interested in that area. (How about Mauryan and Sungas?) Quote:
Nice coins, links and historical information. ... I post some of mine later. Thanks and please do, I have only coins from half a dozen of the Western Satraps and the above Visvasena is the only one with a clear date. |
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Moderator
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23731 Posts |
Here are a few of mine.   Nahapana 50-75 AD  Rudrasimha I 178-197 AD  Rudrasena II 255-278 AD  Bhartrdaman 278-295 AD  Visvasena 292-304 AD  Rudrasena III 348-378 AD |
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Pillar of the Community
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5155 Posts |
OK some similar and some different all interesting... ...it would be tough to post my 20 Satraps but I will select an interesting piece... I saw you posted a Maitrakas of Valabi, I have a special one...  India, Gujarat Maitrakas of Valabi (470-800 AD) In the name of Bhattaraka (470-492) BI Drachm 12mm x 1.80 grams Obverse Bust of Bhattaraka wearing satrapal cap, right.-No Legend Reverse: Trident with curved prongs and side arm, Brahmi legend- RAJNO MAHAKSATRAPA RAMADITYA BHAKTA MAHASAMANTA SRI SARVVA BHATTARAKASA. Ref: Mitchiner ACW 4892-4896 Note: Rare. Good quality early type, naming Bhattaraka. ex. Fishman 2013  |
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Pillar of the Community
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5155 Posts |
I got one of these... India,Deccan Kingdom of Kalachuris Krishnaraja 550-575 AD (wew) AR Rupaka (drachm) 11 mm x 2.02 grams. Obverse: Head of Krishnaraja. No Legend. reverse: Brahmi legend - PARAMA MAHESVARAMATA PITRI PADANUDHYATA SRI KRISHNARAJA- Zebu Bull kneeling right. ("devout worshipper of Siva who meditates at the feet of his mother and father the lord Krishnaraja.") ref# Mitchiner 582/593 Note: Rare!  |
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Pillar of the Community
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5155 Posts |
One of my Favorites...Read Carefully and you will know why... The Western Kshatrapas (The Western Satraps of India) Isvaradatta, (Abhira intruder,unknown dynasty) 164-165 SE (242-243AD) AR Karshapana as Mahaksatrapa Chief Mint Mint B? dated Year 1. or 164 SE or 242 AD 15.0 mm x 2.10 g Obverse: Bust of Isvaradatta right wearing Satrapal Cap. date in Brahmi numerals regal Year 1 behind bust, Corrupt Greek Iinscription. Reverse: Crescent on a three arched hill over a wavy line, crescent in the left field and sun in the right field, Brahmi inscription Rajno MaHaKsaTraPaSa ISvaRaDaTtaSa Varse PraThaMe(Of Raja Mahaksatrapa Isvaradatta, in the First Year) ref:Fishman #24.2.1 pg.209 It is thought that this gentleman was a foreign invader who temporarily dethroned the reigning king Vijayasena, acting as supreme ruler for about 1 and a half years, until the throne was recovered by Vijayasena in 164/5 SE. His coins are dated in Saka Era, like all other things. (I have his coin but that's for a different thread) All coins of Isvaradatta are very Rare but yr. 2 overstrikes are oober rare.  |
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Thanks guys for sharing those coins. 'AncientNoob' you are doing your best to turn everyone green.  Yes, the last one is very interesting: quickly issuing a coin to demonstrate authority, using the standard design of the realm to prove the legitimacy and even using a pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse to point back in history. |
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Wow those are insanely cool, how much did you pay for those? If they're in my price range I would love to have some once I get my paycheck :P
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
You should be able to pick one up for less than $20 quite easily, with some patience probably around the $10 to $15 mark.
They should look quite crisp and clear (better than the later variants), check the last link in my first post to see what fakes might look like.
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Pillar of the Community
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5155 Posts |
Alex Fishman just wrote a wonderful comprehensive catalog for these coins, all of my coins from his collection. Under his consul I procured many of these coins. Some are dated and near mint state. The common emperors can be had for about $50-75 for mint state, now. As India's economy emerges and information is more widely accessible the demand for these coins has increased dramatically. These coins in general are fairly common, and until the pioneering work of Dr. Fishman has remained largely understudied. Many for these coins have a readable date in Saka Era. (Starting March 22/3 AD 78. If the Saka Date reads, for example 169 add 78 and you have AD 247.) Now, a complete time line can be established opening the door for for understanding of the coinage and genealogy of the Dynasty(s). I like the common guys affordable in mint state beautiful high purity dated coins for not a lot of money. Get'em while they are hot! My advice to the member who wants to get some with his check, get them from here an no wheres else. I have dealt with Dr. Fishman for years and has a great site with new stuff added all the time. I hadn't been there in a while bit wow! http://www.numismall.com/Everyone loves maps!  Edited by Ancientnoob
10/18/2014 12:15 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I'm going to have to buy these books. Maybe I can hint my wife to get them for me as a Christmas present.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Nahapana coins are fairly scarce but have been popping up quite often as of late. Its rather hard to find one as complete as this... Silver with (believe it or not) a thick brown patina.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
I have this one, it's a pretty solid example of the type..  |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,439 |
Posted 10/16/2014 08:43 am
