| 裏面の説明 |
Central field occupied by a bold Brahmi legend arranged in multiple character groups around a prominent central motif, likely a Shri symbol or royal device, rendered in raised relief. The characters, though worn and irregularly struck, are disposed in the four quadrants of the flan in a layout typical of Ganga and Rashtrakuta-affiliated silver units. Circular or annular decorative elements flank the central device at upper left and right, and additional Brahmi aksharas appear in the lower field. The overall composition is bold and schematic, consistent with the hammered coinage tradition of the southern Deccan. |
The Western Gangas ruled the Gangavadi region of what is now southern Karnataka, and by the later centuries of their existence were increasingly subordinate to the Rashtrakutas and then the Cholas. Small silver punch-marked and die-struck fractions from this period are poorly documented in the literature — attributions to specific rulers remain contested among South Indian numismatists, and "Gunatunga" appears in dynastic records without a firmly established regnal range.
At 0.5 g and 6 mm, this is a fractional unit, likely circulating in local agrarian markets rather than long-distance trade.