Western Kshatrapas, Karddamaka dynasty Chastana As Raja Mahaksatrapa, (ca. 22-52 SE / ca. 100-130 AD), Silver drachm, Trilingual Type, (Wt: 1.93 gms, Dia : 13.01mm).

Obverse : Well executed bust of king facing right, wearing typical flat cap and earrings; corrupt Greco-Prakrit inscription around. 

Reverse : Dynastic emblem in the centre; Brahmi legend 'RaJño MaHa KshaTraPaSa GhsaMoTiKaPuTraSa ChashTaNaSa".

Comment :
Chashtana, son of Ghsamotika, was one of the earliest Western Kshatrapa rulers and the founder of the Kardamaka dynasty. His silver coinage established the basic design followed by successive rulers for generations. This Trilingual variety carries parts of Kharoshthi legend on the reverse along with Brahmi legends, The Kharoshti legend is usually abbreviated to only a few letters (usually Rano Chatha, Chathanasa, Chasa etc.), depending on how much space the die-cutter had to complete the Kharoshti inscription, and is very difficult to see, especially on more poorly preserved pieces.These coins are usually engraved in a very careful and attractive style and are of high artistic quality. The Brahmi inscriptions on these coins always begin around 12 o'clock. The Kharoshti inscriptions begin between 11 and 12 o'clock. Because the Kharoshți inscription is usually very short, spanning only a few letters, the Brahmi legends takes most of the reverse space., Examples displaying such sharply preserved hair, facial features and earrings are seldom encountered, making this specimen particularly desirable. Fishman type 4.8, pg. 38, Rare.