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1/4 Karshapana - Saurashtra Janapada
| Issuer | Saurashtra Janapada |
|---|---|
| Year | 450 BC - 300 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1/4 Karshapana |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Irregular silver flan bearing a centrally placed punch-marked device consisting of a taurine or tree-like symbol with curvilinear branches and scrolling volutes, characteristic of the Saurashtra regional punch-marked coinage tradition. Flanking the central motif are additional small punch impressions including a pellet-in-circle symbol to the right and a crescent-like element to the left. The field is plain and uninscribed, consistent with the aniconic monetary conventions of early Indian janapada coinage. The surfaces display natural iridescent toning with areas of reddish patina, reflecting the coin's considerable antiquity. No legend or inscription is present. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Plain, lightly worked reverse field typical of punch-marked coinage of the Indian janapada period, showing multiple irregular punch impressions applied from the obverse die forcing metal into low relief on this face. The surface exhibits a cluster of indistinct raised forms, possibly remnants of punch symbols visible in relief, including rounded lobed elements and curvilinear marks distributed across the flan. The irregular flan edges are characteristic of the hand-cut silver blanks used in early Indian monetary production. The field is otherwise uninscribed and bears no formal reverse design, consistent with standard practice for quarter-karshapana denominations of this period. |
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| Additional information |
The Saurashtra janapada operated as one of the regional polities of western India during the mahajanapada period, issuing punch-marked coinage before Mauryan expansion absorbed the region into a centralized imperial economy. These fractional pieces were likely used in local trade along Gujarat's coastal networks, where Saurashtra's access to Arabian Sea ports made small-denomination silver practical rather than incidental.