Ancient : Punch Marked Coin ; Magadha Janapada (600-350 BC), Silver Karshapana ; Series I ;

Description

Ancient : Punch Marked Coin, Magadha Janapada (600-350 BC), Silver Karshapana, Series I,
Obv: five punch marks consisting of the rayed sun (solar symbol), a six-armed symbol, an elephant standing facing the right, a bow and arrow symbol, and other ancillary symbols,
Rev: a single banker’s mark, 3.62g, 23.13mm, (Rajgor Series 12 # 194), choice extremely fine, Rare.
Note: A brief political history of the Magadha Janapada beginning from Bimbisara to Ashoka is mentioned in the “Mahavamsha”, an ancient Buddhist chronicle. Its expansion began with the reign of Bimbisara and grew into one of the most prosperous mahajanapadas. Its capital Pataliputra is the present-day city of Patna in Bihar. The location of this mahajanapada was bounded by important rivers such as the Ganga, Son, Champa & Vindhyan which facilitated the creation of great wealth by trade and other means. Coins from this series are the most popular among collectors. Its existence of approximately 200-250 years reflects well through its coinage.