I obtained this unidentified coin by accident. This is not my normal area of study. I have found a number of similar silver coins, online, from the 800-1100AD called Gadhaiya Paisa, but I believe that name is the specific silver denomination. Can anyone tell me more about this copper? Thanks
it's a silver chalukyas of gujarat drachm with an anbstract head obverse and a fire altar reverse. cool little coin. some of the expert here could tell you more about it.
You probably already found Doug Smith's webpage on these. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/gadpaisa.html These coins were struck over a long period of time (approx 950-1300 AD for the various types). During this time the silver content steadily declined. Late coins are small, on a dumpy flan and almost entirely composed of copper. Yours will be from around 1100 AD Your picture of the reverse is upside down (not that it matters much in this abstracted state). The cross in the base of the fire altar. The crescents flanking it is all what remains of the attendants standing on both sides of the fire altar.
I really should have bought one of the copper ones before I wrote that page but they sell for as much as the silver and I never felt the need to own one. Also, many of these are a billon or low grade silver that can tone to look more copper or more silver depending on conditions. I would, however, agree that yours is late in the series and has very little silver.
Here is another one of the late billon types. Hardly any silver left. This one is generally attributed to the Paramaras of Malwa. On the fire altar side there now are some Nagari letters, that's why this also is called the "Ohm Kara" type, the name of the monastery where they are thought to originate.
I am vey impressed by your website. I spent about an hour reading your different articles this morning. If you would like my copper example, I would be glad to send it to you as a contribution.
