Lot No: 3

Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)

Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)
Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)
Lot No: 3

Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)

Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)
Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)
Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)
Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada, Chambal Valley, AR Karshapana (c. 500-400 BC)

Description

Punch Marked Coinage, Matsya Janapada (500-400 BC), Chambal Valley, AR 2½ Shana, Archaic period, Droplet type

Era : c. 500-400 BC
Weight : 3.00 grams
Diameter : 12.02 mm
Denomination : Karshapana (or 2½ Shana)
Metal : Silver
Reference : T. Hardekar, 2019 # AG 17

Obverse : one composite symbol of a cross depicting pachisi, an ancient board game,

Reverse : uniface.

Comment : 
Coins from the Matsya Janapada were properly studied only after 2004, following discoveries in the Agra and Upper Ganga regions. This rare specimen likely depicts the symbol of the ancient Indian board game Pachisi (also known as Chaupar), first mentioned in the Mahabharata.The Matsya Mahajanapada, one of the sixteen great kingdoms of ancient India, flourished during the Vedic era. Its capital was Viratnagar (modern-day Bairat in Rajasthan), with Kuru and Surasena as its neighboring states. Extremely Fine, Extremely Rare.