Another thread here details the AE coins of Sri Lanka so I thought it might be a good time to show another series of bronzes of the same size and thickness also with very deeply cut designs that could be mistaken for the other. Kings (and Queen Didda) of Kashmir from the 10th to 12th centuries AD issued coins with very stylized images of the king and a goddess separated from each other by Devanagari legends. In this case, the legends are split across the obverse figure and often continue on the reverse lower right side. Finding full legend specimens is, as with the Sri Lankan series, not always easy. Many/most are sold with dirt in the recesses that make the coins easier to read if left intact. Most common and popular are coins of the great queen Didda Rani who ruled with her husband, puppet children and on her own for much of the best coin issuing years. Those who collect these will want to research the stories of her life. Again as with the Lankan coins, there are rarities and commons which often sell for the same price because people do not know or care about the differences. I find these attractive in a strange sort of way and bought most of mine from the same bulk lot seller that provided my Lankan massa. Does anyone else like these? Show them.
i just got one of these from this shady guy who does clandestine coin auctions! Jaga Deva, Kashmir Region AE stater, 18mm, 6g, 9h; Late 11th - Mid 12th Centuries. Obv.: Ja-Ga-De in Nagari script; King Jagadeva facing. Rev.: Goddess Ardochsho/Lakshmi seated, enthroned with lotus stem, wearing earrings. one thing that surprised me about this coin was how thick it was was...nice and meaty.
These coins are fun because they're like finding shapes in the clouds.Doug's Sangrama looks like a Halloween party and as Chris pointed out to me about his coin: Kermit the frog!
Won't suprize you that i have some of these. Though relatively few photographed. The ones Doug showed nicely show the ingenuity of the ancient mintmasters. They made a coin design that is very resistant to a lot of wear. I agree that worn specimen usualy look better uncleaned. However, better specimen of especially the earlier type can show an amazing depth in the relief, only revealed after cleaning. Unfortunately, these better specimen are difficult to get. Here is a link to a very nice specimen being sold recently on e-bay, unfortunately while i had to work: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ancient-India-Hephthalites-in-Kashmir-Toramana-II-c-AD-540-570-AE-Stater-/272139891326?nma=true&si=7KYYQlxd2%2BV1aYhNQR1sFXfkeSc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (The description is incorrect, it is actually an issue of Sankara Varma, ca 880AD) Though this is somewhat earlier (Hunnic ruler Toramana II, posthumous issue), this is one of my own favourites because of the lion: As an addition to Doug: Didda Rani was not the only Kashmir Queen, there was an earlier one: Sugandha Rani (904-906AD)
Did Sugandha Rani have coins? I forgot to include Toramana in my display. His coins were somewhat different. I assume my coin was once very dirt impacted and only patinated on the high points. I have never seen a coin surfaced like it. I almost got face details on one side. Finding any of these with faces is 'special'. THC: What do you see below? It is about half the size of the usual.
Aww man. I dont have one. These designs echo the coins of the region of centuries before. When I was at the NYINC I got to see Mr. Deyell give a presentation on earlier Electrum coins and their Kashmir find spots. This coin has been previously attributed first to the 5th century Kidarite Huns and later by various dynasties of the Kashmir region. Kidarite Huns India, Kannauj Yashosvarman of Kannauj (AD 728-745) EL Dinar 22 mm x 7.56 grams Obverse: Formalized Kushan-style king sacrificing left; below arm, Kidara; in left field,Ka. Reverse: Semi-realistic goddess Ardoksho (Tyche) enthroned facing, holding garland and cornucopiae; in right field, Sri Yasova; in left field, Rma. Ref: Smith (1906), Indian Museum Calcutta, Vol. I, Part III, p. 268, 1ff and pl. XXVII, 6; MACW 3649 ("Kidarites", 5th C.). Good Very Fine. Rare. These are also echo the style of the old 4th century Kushan style dinars with the seated Ardoksho (Tyche) of the Bactrian region Kushan Empire - Kidarite Huns Bactrian Region Gadahara-Peroz (AD 360-380) AV Dinar 19.5 mm x 7.79 grams Obverse: Formalized Kushan-style king sacrificing left; below arm, Brahmi legendGadahara at right, Piroz under arm; in left field, Kushana Reverse: Realistic goddess Ardoksho (Tyche) enthroned facing, holding garland (diadem) and cornucopiae; in right field, Brahmi letter Sha; in left field, Tamgha. Ref: Gobl 608.
Yes, Sugandha Rani was the first queen to issue coins in her own name. historically she also is an interesting figure. It is thought she came to power after killing her infant son who was the legitimate heir to the throne. Her coins are still in the not so abstracted style. Your Toramana II indeed is very nice with preserved facial features on flan ! This likely is also an early posthumous issue. The later posthumous Toramana types already are much more abstracted and more resemble the early Kashmir Raja types. The smaller specimen shown is very interesting. It likely is modelled on the types of the later dynasties. I don't know whether AE half-staters were issued officially at some time.
