Two New Varieties of Old Indian Coins

Summary

This numismatic note introduces two previously unreported varieties of early Indian coins. The first type belongs to the Avanti series associated with Ujjain. It bears on the obverse a cross-like symbol flanked by pellets and a spear-headed standard; the reverse depicts a human figure standing and leaning upon a staff, with a tree in railing on the leftfile:///home/oai/share/Two_New_Varieties_of_Old_Indian_Coins.pdf. The coin’s weight and punch-mark arrangement correspond to known Avanti pieces, but the combination of symbols is new. The author compares it with coins described by Cunningham and Rapson, concluding that it represents a transitional stage between the earliest punch-marked coins and later local issues. The second coin type comes from Mathura. Its obverse shows a bull standing with a taurine symbol above, while the reverse features a human figure holding a snake or whip, accompanied by a legend in Brahmi scriptfile:///home/oai/share/Two_New_Varieties_of_Old_Indian_Coins.pdf. The legend likely names a local ruler, though the reading is uncertain. The article places this coin within the wider context of Mathura’s post-Mauryan coinage, which often incorporates animal motifs and regional titles. The author discusses metallurgical aspects, noting that both coins are made of silver and show wear consistent with circulation. They may date to the second or first century BCE, reflecting political fragmentation and experimentation in coin designs. The discovery of these varieties enriches our understanding of early Indian monetary systems and highlights regional diversity. The article encourages further exploration of private collections and archaeological excavations to uncover more specimens.