This was my only coin win from Frank Robinson's most recent auction: Taxila. AR 1/8 satamana (15 mm, 1.4 g). c.600 BC-303 BC. Obverse: Standard Taxila-Gandhara symbol. Reverse: blank. Scyphate fabric. Mitchiner "Ancient and Classical World" 4079-4080. This coin: ex Frank S. Robinson personal collection. Taxila was located in the Indus Valley, in what is now northern Pakistan, and was founded around 1000 BC. The city soon became wealthy due to its location along major trade routes, and began issuing its own distinctive coinage around 600 BC (though the exact date seems to be controversial, from what I understand). The main denomination was a silver satamana "bent bar" that was around 8-10 mm wide and 35-45 mm long, and bent at the ends, stamped twice with the Taxila-Gandhara symbol. Smaller denominations were also issued; the 1/8 satamana, like this, is always scyphate (cup-shaped). Taxila was conquered by the Achaemenid Persian Empire, but the style of coinage was not affected, and the Achaemenids seem to have been rather "hands-off" in ruling the region. Alexander the Great took control of the city without a fight in 326 BC, and the city was absorbed into the nascent Mauryan Empire shortly after Alexander's death, and the distinctive satamana coinage stops around the same time. In addition to its wealth, Taxila was renowned as a center of learning, and was the site of an early version of a university. The city continued to be relatively prosperous and locally important until it was destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century AD. This is probably the oldest coin in my collection (depending on the exact start date of Taxila's coinage and when in that period this example was struck). I won it at $36, which is a good price for this type. Please post your early Indian coins, or anything else you think is relevant.
Cool stuff @Parthicus & @Severus Alexander ! I have one of those too... OLD version of Scyphates! INDIA Gandhara 6-5C BCE AR Shana or 1/8 Shatamana 15mm 1.4g Six armed Taxila symbol pellet between - Blank - Pieper 12 Rajgor Series 41 India Gandahara AR Bent Bar 11.3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides VERY RARE
