Old Indian Coinage and Their Exceptional Varieties

Indian coinage has always been a hot topic of discussion among numismatists and collectors all over the world. Let’s take a look at four ancient coins that were issued by four different dynasties like the Guptas, Western Kshatrapas, Satavahanas and Vrishnis.   

Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta – I

These amazing old Indian coins were issued under Kumaragupta – I (also known as Mahendraditya) of Gupta dynasty who ruled from 415 AD to 455 AD. This Gold dinar weighs around 7 to 8 grams and has a diameter that ranges from 19 to 22 millimetres. If you like researching about rare coins of ancient India, then this Gupta period Archer type variety B, is something you should definitely look out for. The obverse side is Die Struck featuring the King standing to the left, holding an arrow in his right hand and a bow in his left. The standard Garuda can be seen on the left. The word "Ku" is inscribed below the left hand while a crescent can be seen above. The uncertain legend starts with the texts "jayati mahitalam" and ends at "ptah". The reverse side depicts a Goddess sitting on a lotus, her right hand is empty. Legend in Brahmi reads "Shri - mahendrah"

Silver Drachma of Western Kshatrapas

This old coin of India was issued under a Western Kshatrapas – Kardamaka ruler named Damajadasri II. Damajadasri II ruled only for 1 year from 232 AD to 233 AD, due to which this Silver Drachma are considered to be special in the field of numismatics. This historical old Indian coins were die-struck in 1.96 to 2.35 grams of silver. It depicts the year date 154 according to Saka Calendar system. The obverse side depicts the king’s Bust with the Saka date behind the head. The reverse side depicts a three-arched hill, a crescent above; a river or a wavy line below and the sun. A Sanskrit inscription reads Rajno mahaksatrapasa Rudrasenaputrasa Rajna (or h) ksatrapasa Damajadasriyah.

Extremely Rare Potin Coin of Satavahana Ruler Pulumavi

These ancient Indian coins were issued under the Satavahana ruler Pulumavi. It is die-struck in 1 to 5 grams of Potin and has a diameter of 15 to 20 millimetres. The wonderful Indian Old Coins belong to the Elephant Type Class I series and are considered to be extremely rare. The obverse side depicts an elephant facing the right with an upraised trunk. A Brahmi legend reads "Rano siri Pulohamavisa". The reverse side depicts an Ujjain symbol with a pellet in each orb and a tree in a railing below. 

Silver Coin of Vrishnis

These ancient coins of India were issued by an anonymous ruler of Vrishnis dynasty somewhere around c.100 AD. They were die-struck in 2.15 grams of silver. The designs on these old coins in India are eye-catchy. The obverse side depicts the Nandipada standard in a railing with a composite animal, made of half lion and half elephant. A circular Brahmi legend reads 'Vrishni rajajna ganasya tratarasya'. The reverse side depicts a wheel with fourteen spokes and a circular Kharoshthi legend that reads 'Vrishni-rajanna-ganasa-tratarasa' within a pellet border.

Hope you enjoyed exploring these outstanding examples of ancient Indian coinage. Their designs and history symbolise our country’s cultural heritage.