Catalog
2 Karshapana - Bhumimitra
| Issuer | Panchala Kingdom (Janapadas (pre-Mauryan)) |
|---|---|
| Year | 65-80 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | A rectangular incuse field containing three dynastic royal symbols characteristic of the Panchala coinage tradition, arranged within a defined border. Below the incuse panel, a Brahmi legend reads 'Bhumimitrasa', identifying the issuing ruler. The devices are rendered in the punch-marked style typical of early Indian copper coinage, with the symbols disposed across the flat field. The coin exhibits the irregular flan shape common to cast and struck issues of the Janapada period. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 𑀪𑀽𑀫𑀺𑀫𑀺𑀢𑁆𑀭𑀲 (Bhumimitrasa) |
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| Additional information |
The Panchala kingdom, centered on the upper Gangetic plain around modern Bareilly and Budaun, persisted as a regional power well into the post-Mauryan period, issuing copper coinage under a succession of rulers whose names survive almost exclusively through their coins. Bhumimitra is known from no textual source — the name exists because the coin does.
The karshapana weight standard traces back to the pre-Mauryan punch-marked tradition, though by this period cast and die-struck copper had largely displaced the older bent-bar silver types in everyday exchange.