1 Drachm - Visvasimha

Historical Context: This silver 1 Drachm was issued by Visvasimha of the Western Satraps, dated 275-280 CE. Son of Bhartrdaman and grandson of Rudrasena I, Visvasimha belonged to the Chashtana dynasty. His reign occurred during a critical transition for the Satraps, marked by internal consolidation and external pressures from the Sasanian Empire and other regional powers. His coinage, while adhering to traditional Satrapal motifs, provides crucial numismatic evidence of their enduring political and cultural presence in western India.

Artistry: The engraver remains anonymous, typical for ancient mints. This coin exemplifies the Western Satrapal stylistic school, blending Indo-Greek and indigenous Indian artistic traditions. The obverse features a stylized bust of Visvasimha, usually right-facing, accompanied by a degenerate Greek legend. The reverse consistently displays the iconic three-arched hill (chaitya) surmounted by a crescent moon and a star, a potent dynastic emblem, typically encircled by a Brahmi inscription identifying the ruler.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this drachm weighs 1.97 grams and measures 13.99 millimeters, conforming to the standard module. High-points for wear on the obverse include the ruler's hair and prominent facial features. On the reverse, the chaitya peaks and the crescent/star points are most susceptible to attrition. Technical strike quality varies; while some examples show sharp details and good centering, others may exhibit minor off-centering or a slightly weaker strike, especially along the legend peripheries. Flan irregularity is also common.