Satavahana Dynasty, Vasisthiputra Sri Satakarni (125-152 AD), Silver Dramma, Portrait type,  (Wt : 2.22 g, Dia : 14.04 mm), (PAIC # 2752)

Obverse : bust of the king to right, a stylish hair-bun in the front above the forehead, Brahmi legend "Rano Vasithiputasa Siri Satakanisa" around

Reverse: a six-arched hill with a crescent and an Ujjaini symbol with sun in the center, a wavy rive line below, Tamil legend in Brahmi script "Arahanaku Vahitti makanaku Tiru Hatakaniko" around, encircled by a dotted border

Comment :
Vasisthiputra Sri Satakarni ruled the Deccan during the second century AD, when the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas competed for power in western India. A Kanheri inscription records his marriage to a daughter of the Mahakshatrapa generally identified as Rudradaman I, revealing a royal alliance between these rival dynasties. His silver portrait coinage reflects the influence of Western Kshatrapa monetary traditions while retaining distinctive Satavahana symbols. The king’s carefully styled hair and profile portrait present an individual royal image, accompanied by a Prakrit legend naming him and his maternal lineage. “Vasisthiputra” means “son of Vasisthi,” following the Satavahana practice of identifying rulers through their mothers.The reverse combines the six-arched hill, crescent and Ujjaini symbol with a southern-language legend commonly described as Tamil. Together, the two legends make this coin a notable example of the linguistic and artistic diversity of the ancient Deccan. Obverse is fully struck with complete details visible, extremely fine, Rare.