Why I task myself with the tedious errand of scoping out the bi-annual Salt Lake coin show is mainly due to the little jems I find from the modrones. To get what I want I have to be willing to be social with some individuals whom, later in their lives are still more awkward then I was that first time as a pimple ridden teen I bought prophylactics from the local 7 eleven (to be fair, at least their voices weren't cracking). I have to walk up to each vendor and ask, "Got any ancients? Ya know, Romans, Greeks etc?" They almost always say, "No..none here anyway." One particular seller said this exact sentence. But like every other interaction, after, I take a quick surveillance of the goods to make sure. Right at the corner of his last display case a beautiful patina catches my eye. "What's that Indian or Persian looking coin there?" I ask. They always forget they have an ancient or 2 kicking around. "I forgot I had that kicking around." he says starring off awkwardly and blankly. "Do you know what it is?" I ask. Straining to keep this conversation alive like a paramedic with a heart attack victim. "No." he says. Again with the starring. "How much?" I ask. "Ooooooooooooh, I guuuuuueeeeess..." he licks his lips and almost ceases to exist. Then finishes, "5 bucks". I hurriedly get my wallet out to complete the transaction. Take my newly acquired mystery coin. And scurry away embarrassedley. Probably much resembling my much younger self later in the evening after the fateful 7 eleven incident. Short story long, here is my new coin show acquisition with what I believe to be the correct attribution (though if anyone knows better, agrees or disagrees please let me know). Hindu rajas of Kashmir Second Lohara dynasty Sussala (ruled 1112-1120 AD) AE stater (19 mm, 6.21 g) Obverse: Goddess Lakshmi seated facing, with Nagari legend Su to left and ssala to right Reverse: King standing sacrificing at altar, with Nagari legend Deva to right Ref: Michael Mitchiner, Non-Islamic States & Western Colonies (AD 600-1979), 190 Coins of Sussala are hard to find. This attractive specimen has complete legends on a full flan. Rare and CHOICE. Please post any Kashmir, Indian, recent coin show acquisitions, awkward stories or any other coin you feel like!
LOL! Likening buying an unknown ancient coin to a teen buying his first condoms... that's got to be a first here on CT The coin is kinda cool too
@TIF Thanks! So what you're saying is that this is a story of a couple cheap, fast 1st times? @THCoins Awesome! I scrolled forever to find what I thought was correct. You say it with such confidence I'm forced to believe your attribution is correct. Can I ask how you can tell and if you have any to share? Btw, the attribution is very appreciated. @Curtisimo thanks buddy. I always love reading your write ups and drooling over your coins. Why is it that the true stories are usually the funniest?
I understand that the Gandhara Janaprada was situated in what is now Kashmir: ' India Gandhara janaprada AR Bent Bar 11.3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides is VERY RARE
Don't know anything about the coin. I just know LedZep's version of Kashmir at the Celebration Day concert was worthy of their stuff in their prime. Bonham Jr. does his old man proud.
Maybe it is not a great rarity but still it is nicer than most of this king and certainly worth well over twice the price paid. Mine is more average.
I got my from this strange guy that does private sales on cointalk. These things are filed in my brain "Kashmir Kermit the Frog coins".
I learnt myself to read several scripts used in this region, including medieval Nagari. That's a worthwhile time investment once you get more interested in coinage from this area. Just like you have to learn the Greek alphabet when collecting Greek ancients. Recently, a very nice overview of different Kashmir rulers was placed here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/kashmir.303978/page-3#post-3021129 by our member Spaniard. Unfortunately no access to my pictures here, so that will have to wait.
As promised a related picture. This is anonymous Post-Kushan, 700 years before the Kings of Kashmir, but with the same Standing king/Ardochsho theme.
